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INHABITANTS THE TIBETANS. 41
birds are comparatively rare, though some of them rise to astonishing heights, one
species of lark being met at 15,000, and others at over 18,000 feet. In Tibet
proper no songsters are heard except birds of passage ; but the eagle, vulture, and
raven abound, while the pheasant frequents the woodlands. A few lizards and
snakes reach an altitude of 15,400 feet, and some of the lakes on the plateau are
stocked with fish. The extreme limit of fish in the Alps is 7,100 feet, whereas
Schlagintweit met in Lake Mognalari (14,000 feet) varieties of salmon, which, like
those of the sea, ascend every year to the higher fresh-water lake in the spawning
season. In the basins that have become saline the species have adapted them-
selves to the altered conditions.
Several of the indigenous animals have been domesticated. The yak has been
crossed with the Indian Zebu cow, the result being the dzo, whose varieties have
hair of different colours, while the wild yak is always black. But in the fourth
generation these animals revert to the primitive type. Although always somewhat
obstinate, the yak is thfi most general beast of burden in Tibet ; but sheep, being
more hardy, are employed on the higher passes. Each sheep carries a load of from
20 to 30 Ibs., and thrives on the scanty pasture along the route. The horses and
mules make excellent mounts.; but the most valuable domestic animal is the goat,
whose pa#hi, or short, soft, downy hair under the outer coat, commands such high
prices for the manufacture of the Cashmere shawls. The dogs, a powerful and
formidable breed, are not employed in the chase, but only as house-dogs and
collies. They degenerate in India, though some specimens have been perfectly
acclimatized in England.
INHABITANTS THE TIBETANS.
The great bulk of the inhabitants, apart from the Mongolo-Tatar Horsoks of
Khachi and the various independent tribes of the province of Kham, belong to a
distinct branch of the Mongolian family. They are of low size, with broad
shoulders and clients, and present a striking contrast to the Hindus in the size of
their arms and calves, while resembling them in their small and delicate hands and
feet. The cheek bones are generally prominent, the eyes black and slightly
oblique, the mouth large, with thin lips, the hair brown and bushy. The com-
plexion varies, as in Europe, from the most delicate white amongst the rich to the
copper yellow of the shepherds exposed to the inclemency' of the weather.
Cretinism is general in the upland valleys, leprosy and hydrophobia on the
plateaux.
The Tibetans are one of the most highly endowed people in the world. Nearly
all travellers are unanimous in praise of their gentleness, frank and kindly bearing,
unaffected dignity. Strong, courageous, naturally cheerful, fond of music, the
dance and song, they would be a model race but for their luck of enterprise.
They are as easily governed as a flock of sheep, and for them the word of a lama
has force of law. Kven the mandates of the Chinese authorities are scrupulously
obeyed, and thus it happens that against their own friendly feelings they jealously
guard the frontiers against all strangers.
M