Page:From Kulja, across the Tian Shan to Lob-Nor (1879).djvu/103

84 there may be seen dirisun, Calligonum and Nitraria, and in a few places poplar and wild rose; the latter, however, we only found in Asganlyk ravine. Most of these plants also grow on the border of the desert nearest to the mountains, where the gnarled saksaul also appears.

It is remarkable that notwithstanding the sterility of Altyn-tagh, locusts appear in such large numbers that in the summer of 1876 they devoured all the fronds and young shoots of the reeds for want of something better to eat, and were actually found in the mountains at an elevation of 9000 feet above the sea. The northern slope of Altyn-tagh is not rich in animal life. We were told that wild beasts were more numerous on the high plateau to the south of the range, especially below, and in the midst of the Chamen-tagh mountains. Here is a list of the mammalia of Altyn-tagh:— Felis irbis—very rare. Weasel, Mustela intermedia?—rare. Wolves and foxes rather scarce; the Tibetan wolf (C. Chanko) is reported to be seen. Hares common in valleys; and distinct from the Lob-nor species. Meriones, sp. in valleys—rare. Wild camel (Camelus Bactrianus ferus)—rarely appears. Ovis Poli—rare. Mountain sheep (Pseudo-Nahoor)—common.