298 



THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



Photograph by Dr. A. L,. Sheltou 



THE HIGH PRIEST OP BATANG WITH HIS ATTENDANTS 



Both Chinese and Tibetan influences are seen in the features and dress of the attendants, 

 while the rifle suggests the inroad of Western ideas. 



live in black yak-hair tents. Others en- 

 gage in a crude sort of farming in the 

 valleys where the altitude is low enough 

 for grain to mature. 



The nomads live the year round in 

 their tents, seldom even entering a house. 

 When the lower slopes of the mountains 

 become free from snow in the spring, they 

 begin their upward pilgrimage with their 

 herds, closely following the receding 

 snow-line, until in summer they are liv- 

 ing far up in the highlands and on the 

 sides of the peaks. 



When winter begins to set in they 



make the reverse journey, going down 

 to the valleys only as fast as the descend- 

 ing snow-line drives them. In this way 

 they are able to utilize the supply of grass 

 to best advantage. 



The herders remain close to the snow 

 also because their yak thrive best in a 

 cold temperature and cannot, in fact, 

 stand any great degree of heat, especially 

 if introduced into the warmer tempera- 

 ture suddenly. 



So carefully must the yak's predilec- 

 tion for cold be indulged that traders 

 bringing supplies in summer from the 



