Page:Mongolia, the Tangut country, and the solitudes of northern Tibet vol 1 (1876).djvu/268

 which grow the low stunted Nitraria Schoberi, Zygophyllum sp., and another shrub of the leguminous order with a leathery leaf which is not deciduous.

These hillocks are formed by the wind which raises the sand and dust. Both one and the other are caught by the low brushwood, and as they gradually collect they form small mounds which are bound together by the roots of the bushes; the rains wash the sides down, giving them the appearance of having been dug with a spade.

Instead of the sands of Kuzupchi, undulating hills now border the valley, gradually becoming higher and higher till at length they culminate in a lofty rocky ridge opposite the town of Ding-hu, whence they run parallel with the course of the River for some distance to the south. These hills, as far as we could see, bear the same desolate aspect as the valley. In all probability the interior of the whole of Ordos is of the same character, and fully bears out its name of Boro-tohoi, i.e. grey (not green) plain.

The absolute height of the valley of the Hoang-ho in that part which we visited changes very little. By boiling water on Lake Tsaideming-nor we obtained 3,200 feet; 18 miles west of Ding-hu, 3,500 feet; and nearly half way between these points, at the foot of the hills bordering the left bank of the river, again 3,500 feet.

Animal life is not very abundant in the valley of