Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 1.djvu/394

380 Thibet, nor are maggots or fleas ever seen there; and in Dingcham, or Thibet proper, there are no bees or wasps.

Of the mineral productions of the country, a form of carbonate of soda called pen, borax, saltpetre, common salt, gold, and arsenic, are spoken of by Dr. Campbell. There are no mines of iron, silver, copper, quicksilver, lead, or coal; the latter substance is, however, imported from China.

The turquoise, real or artificial, is universally worn in rings, necklaces, etc., and large amber-like beads are a favorite ornament, but it is uncertain whether they are natural products of Thibet. The latter are apparently composed of turpentine, mixed with some hardening material. Numerous imitations of turquoise are imported from China; and real but not valuable stones are sent, via Cashmere (but from what locality is not stated). The only test of a real stone that is resorted to by the Thibetans is to make a fowl swallow it; if real, it will pass through unchanged.

Dr. Campbell gives some very interesting information regarding the food of the Thibetans. During the summer months they use very little fresh meat. They do not like it boiled, and are not partial to it raw, unless it has been dried. In November there is a great slaughter, and a wealthy man, who has perhaps 7,000 sheep, will kill 200 at this time for his year's consumption. The animal after being killed is skinned and gutted, and then placed on its feet in a free current of air. In a couple of days it becomes quite hard, and is then ready for eating. It is kept in this way for more than a year without spoiling, even during the rainy periods. When long exposed to the wind of Thibet it becomes so dry that it may be rolled into powder between the hands. In this state it is mixed with water and drunk, and used in various other ways. The Thibetans eat animal food in endless forms, and a large portion of the people live on nothing else. The livers of sheep and other animals are similarly dried or frozen, and are much prized, but to strangers they are very distasteful for their bitterness and hardness. The fat is dried, packed in the stomachs, and then sent to market or kept for home use.

With regard to edible vegetables, it is stated that wheat, barley, and buckwheat, sown in April or May, and irrigated, are reaped in September, barley in Thibet taking the place of potatoes in Ireland, four-fifths of the population living on it. Besides these, the other crops are composed of peas, turnips, and a little mustard. The grain is ground in water-mills. The bread is all unleavened, and cooked on heated stoves or gridirons. The sweet, pure farinaceous taste of the fine flour equals the best American produce. The staple food of the country is champa, called suttoo in India; it is finely-ground flour of toasted barley. It is much eaten without further cooking; mixed up with hot tea it is called paak, and when prepared with tepid water it is known as seu. If any of our readers wish to enter upon "pastures new" in the breakfast department, they may try tookpa, which, to be properly appreciated, should be taken at daybreak before any matutinal ablutions. It is a sort of broth made with mutton, champa, dry curds, butter, salt, and turnips.

Goats are also reared in considerable flocks, but for their milk rather than their flesh. The milk of yaks, cows, sheep, and goats, is used alike for making dried curds and the various preparations of milk used by these people. Mares' milk is not used in Eastern Thibet.

Among the afflictions of the Thibetans Dr. Campbell mentions groomtook, or the laughing disease, which consists of violent fits of laughter, with excruciating pain in the throat. It equally attacks men and women, and often proves fatal in a few days.

Flying Reptiles of the Chalk Formations in Kansas.—Prof. E. D. Cope, whose industry and genius have done great service in making us familiar with the strange animal forms of the reptilian age in this country, describes two species of flying saurians found by himself in the chalk-deposits of Kansas. One of these had probably been discovered previously by Prof. Marsh, of New Haven, and described under a name different from that given by Prof. Cope.

These belong to a genus which comprises the largest of the pterodactyles [sic] or flying saurians, a class of reptiles long since found in Europe, but not until recently discovered in this country.