OTHER DOMESTICATED CATTLE 191 
of recognition on account of the fringe of long hair, 
reaching in some instances down to the fetlocks, 
which clothes the flanks of the body, and the enormous 
bushy tail ; the latter, in the pied or white breeds, 
forming the source of the chaories, or fly- whisks, in 
common use throughout India. Although pure-bred 
yak, which are always blackish brown in colour, are 
large and magnificent animals, they stand lower than 
most other cattle on account of the relative shortness 
of their limbs. Such pure-bred animals thrive only 
on the elevated plateaus of Tibet, such as that of 
Rupsu, at elevations of between 13,000 and 16,000 
feet ; and in summer cannot with safety be brought 
even to Leh, of which the elevation is 11,500 feet 
above sea-level. 
There is, however, a half-breed known as the zo, 
which is originally a cross between the male yak and 
the female zebu ; and these hybrids are capable of 
living at much lower levels, and will thrive even in 
England, where they are fertile among themselves. 
Many of these hybrids are black and white, white 
and grey, or wholly white ; and it is their tails which, 
as already mentioned, furnish the Indian chaories. 
There is, moreover, a small black polled breed, which 
will likewise flourish at low levels. 
All these hybrid or dwarf breeds are much more 
docile than the larger pure-bred yak of the Rupsu 
plateau. The latter are, indeed, vicious and spiteful 
brutes, which are really only half-tamed, and are apt, 
after running loose for several weeks, or even months, 
to cast their loads when first brought once more into 
active service, and will even charge the European 
onlooker who is awaiting their aid for the transport 
of his camp and baggage. 
