[177] It has been pointed out by Griesbach that the central Himālayan glaciers are receding, and once extended much lower than at present. Apparently the same is the case in the "Himālayas" of Tibetan Ssuch'uan. I saw few living glaciers; but in many ravines there were evident traces of lateral and terminal moraines.

[178] This I take to be the crossoptilon Tibetanum. It is quite unknown in China proper.

[179] See [Note 24] (p. 428).

[180] The Tibetan ja-ndong.

[181] See [Note 25] (p. 428).

[182] Yule's Marco Polo (Cordier's edition), vol. ii. p. 45.

[183] Travels of a Pioneer of Commerce.

[184] It is now well known that in parts of the Himalāyas which form the watershed of the great Indian rivers the line of perpetual snow is as high as 18,000 or even 20,000 feet.

[185] There is a fine poplar grove close to Tachienlu, fringing the "royal" parade-ground. Sarat Chandra Das (Journey to Lhasa and Central Tibet) mentions a poplar at Lhasa which is supposed by the Tibetans to have sprung from the hair of the Buddha.

[186] The felis fontanieri, besides other members of the Cat tribe.