LITULATURE.
YAK, the native name for the wild ox (Hos grionniens) of the mountainous regions of Tibet. There are two races: the wild yak, generally black, which is found near the snow line, descending into the valleys in winter, and a domesticated race, usually half-breeds, of various colors, black and white being most com mon. The yak is about the size of the com mon ox, to which it has a general resemblance, but it is covered with a thick coat of long, silky hair, hanging down like the fleece of a sheep, completely investing the tail, and form ing a lengthy fnnge along the shoulders, flanks and thighs. This fringe, which exists in both races, was apparently developed as a protection to the animal in its alpine haunts, as the long hair forms a sort of mat which defends the body from the effects of the cold when the ani mal is reposing in the snow.
The domesticated race is of great importance to she natives of Tibet. The yak is employed
as a beast of burden, but never for tillage or draught; the milk is very rich and yields ex cellent butter; the flesh is of the finest quality, and that of the calves far superior to ordinary veal. The hair is spun into ropes and made into coverings for tents, and the soft fur of the hump and withers is woven into a fine strong cloth. The tails, often dyed red, are made into the chowries or fly-flappers, used in India. Yaks are often seen in zoological gardens and men ageries and have repeatedly bred in Europe. It is probable that they might be advan eigeously introduced into the northern parts of the continents of America and Europe They have, howeser, the disadvantages of not eating corn and not being able to live at a low eleva tion.