Nikolay Przhevalsky

“ Tangutan territory—The people—Characteristic traits—Stature; appearance; mode of wearing hair—Kara Tangutans—Language; dress; habitations—Black tents and wooden huts—Occupations—The domesticated Yak—Its different uses—Nomadising habits—Contrast between Mongols and Tangutans—Industry; food ”

“ First sight of Kan-su — Marginal range — Ta-yi-gu — Sung-shan — Abundance of water — Ruined villages — A false alarm — Harsh treatment of prisoner — Gold washings — Profusion of vegetation — Another adventure — Randzemba and the breech-loaders — Mystery explained — Temple of Chertinton; its superior or abbot — We leave our camels and horses — The Rangtu-gol — Cultivated and thickly-populated plain — The Taldi — The temple of Chobsen ”

“ Return to Tsaidam—Influence of its warmer climate—Spring in Tsaidam—Migratory birds—Spring in Koko-nor—Mirages—Shooting excursions—Fishing—Thaw on lake—Scarcity of birds—Departure from Chobsen—Equipment of caravan—Sale of revolvers—Humidity of Kan-su—Slippery mountain paths—Fording the Tatung-gol—Encounter with 'Kotens'—First signs of spring—Night frosts—Gales—Atmospheric phenomena—Tardy vegetation—The great rock-partridge (hailik) —The snow-vulture ”