Page:Mongolia, the Tangut country, and the solitudes of northern Tibet vol 2 (1876).djvu/191

Rh Such a journey as the one we have just mentioned, besides its geographical interest, would finally set at rest the question of the existence of wild camels and horses. The natives repeatedly told us of the existence of both, and described them fully.

According to our informants wild camels are numerous in North-western Tsaidam, where the country is barren, the soil being clay, overgrown with budarhana, and so destitute of water that they have to go seventy miles to drink, and in winter are obliged to satisfy their thirst with snow.

The herds are small, averaging five to ten in each, never more than twenty. Their appearance is slightly different from the domesticated breed; their humps are smaller, the muzzle more pointed, and the colour of the hair grey.

The Mongols of Western Tsaidam hunt them for the sake of their delicate flesh, especially in autumn when they are fat. The hunters supply themselves with ice to avoid perishing from thirst in the wilderness. These camels cannot be very shy if it be true that they may be killed with the matchlock. They are described as wonderfully long-sighted and keen-scented, but unable to see objects near them. In February, during the pairing season, the males become very bold and approach close to the caravans passing from Tsaidam to Ngan-si-chau. Caravan camels have been known to elope with their wild mates, never returning to their owner.