Page:Mongolia, the Tangut country, and the solitudes of northern Tibet vol 1 (1876).djvu/303

 CHAPTER VI.

ALA-SHAN.

The Eleuths — Extent and character of Ala-shan — Sandy tracts of Ala-shan — Flour of the Sulhir grass — Flora and Fauna of Ala-shan — Birds of Ala-shan — Population of Ala-shan — Mongols of Ala-shan — Lake Tsagan-nor — Route to Din-yuan-ing — Arrival there — Din-yuan-ing and the Prince — The Prince of Ala-shan and his family — The Gigen — Lama Baldin-Sordji — Curiosity of the people — Intercourse with the younger Princes — Questions about Europe — Openings for trade — Stories about the Dalai Lama — 'Shambaling,' the Promised Land — The Promised Land of 'Shambaling' — State visit to the Prince — Interview with Prince of Ala-shan — Views of the Anglo-French wаг — We proceed to the mountains — Mountains of Ala-shan — Birds of Ala-shan mountains — Birds and Mammals of Ala-shan — The kuku-yamans or mountain sheep — Shooting them in the mountains — A frightened herd — Desperate leap — Return to Din-yuan-ing — Obliged to retrace our steps.

southern part of the high plateau of the Gobi, to the west of the middle course of the Hoang-ho, is a wild and barren desert, inhabited by Oliut (Eleuth) Mongols, and known by the name of