Bears, jackals, hogs, monkeys, leopards, wolves, hyenas, wild dogs and cats are among the wild animals of Afghanistan. The wild ass is found in the southwest part of the country. During the breeding season Afghanistan appears to be the retreat of a variety of birds. Camels are frequently em ployed, although they cannot travel in rainy weather or through snow. The two-humped Bactrian camel of historic lineage is still seen. Horses are a staple export to India, especially the "Yabu," a stout heavy-shouldered pony about 14 hands high. The breed has been much improved as they are used for the cavalry of the Afghan army. The cows are the humped variety of the east and the dairy produce is an important feature in Afghan diet, especially the pressed and dried curd called "knit" There are two varieties of Afghan sheep both having the fat tail. One bears a white fleece and the other a russet or black one. The ex port of wool is very largely cultivated. Goats are also valuable on account of their hair which is used in the manufacture of shawls. Dog breeding is cultivated by the Afghan nobles as they are used in the sports of the field, especially for turning up quail and partridge for the hawk, hawking being a popular sport among both the nobles of Persia and Af ghanistan.
The The origin of the Afghans is involved in obscurity and has given rise to various opinions. Some have supposed that they are descended from the soldiers of Alex ander the Great whom he left in these countries. Others affirm that the Copts of Egypt or the Chaldmans and even the Armenians were their ancestors. The Afghans themselves maintain that they are of Jewish origin descended from Afghana who was in lineal descent from Abra ham and Hagar by their son Ishmail. Some Afghan authors affirm that Afghana was the grandson of King Saul. Some writers state that they are descended from Jewish prisoners sent into the mountain by Nebuchadnezzar. It is related that when Nadir Shah marching to India arrived at Peshawar, the chief of the Yusufzai tribe presented him with a Hebrew Bible. There is no trace of Israelitish origin in the Afghan language (see Language and Literature), but there is not a single Afghan, from the Amir on the throne to the tiller of the soil, who does not believe that he is one of the "Beni Israil." Of the Afghans proper there are numerous clans, somewhat similar to the clans of the highlands of Scotland. Of these the most important are the Durranies, originally called Abdalis, who received the name from their famous clansman the poet king, Ahmad Shah. The Barakzais are a powerful tribe represented by the present reigning dynasty. The Gilzais were supreme in power at the beginning of the 18th century and are still a powerful clan, occupying the high plateau of Kandahar. The Yusufzais inhabit a district
called Yusufzai in Pashawar valley. The Kizil bashes are Persianized Afghans who came into the country in the time of Nadir Shah. The Hazaras, living in a district of that name, came from the east with the army of Ghenjiz Khan. They have Mongolian features, and speak a Persian dialect. The Hinkis are people of Hindu descent. They are the merchants and bankers of the country and being idolaters they pay a poll tax, according to Muhammadan law, and are denied many privileges. In religion the Afghans are of the Sunni sect of Islam, and in jurisprudence belong to the Hanafi school of interpretation. The Kizilbashes are of the Shiah sect of Moslems. The people of Ka firistan are idolaters who are being rapidly con verted to Islam.
As a race the Afghans are exceedingly at tractive to the western traveler. They are handsome and athletic. They have fair cotn plexions with aquiline features and long flowing beards. The women are exceedingly fair and handsome, and more intellectual than the aver age woman of the East. In cities they are rigidly secluded, but in outlying districts they are free to roam and are often employed in the field.
The Afghan, familiar with bloodshed from his boyhood, makes a valiant soldier, and there are many Afghans who have attained to high positions in the Anglo-Indian army. "The avenger of blood* is an institution among the Afghans and it is a point of honor for the next of kin to avenge a murder. With the Afghans hospitality is the very salt of life, and the ordinary salutations of the people bear this character. When passing along a road the mounted chieftain salutes the weary traveler with "may you never be tired," to which the man on foot responds "may you ever be pros perous." On approaching the village afluj rah," or guest house, the traveler is received by the host with the welcome of "may you ever come," to which the guest replies "may you ever re main master of this house." When the guest departs he is escorted to the village boundary and is sent on his way with the salutation "may God protect you." The Afghans of to-day believe that their nation has a great future in harmony with the noble traditions of the past and they believe that they will again become a great and power ful nation. They are shut in by Russia on the one side and by Great Britain on the other, and in consequence of the British conquest of Baluchistan and Sind they have been deprived of a seaport. But they hope against.hope and consequently avoid committing themselves to either Russia or Great Britain, and pose as the enemies of Persia.