CHAPTER XI.

MONGOLS--PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CHARACTERISTICS.

Physical characteristics--Meanness--Indolence--Failure in agriculture--Hospitality--Its origin--Pilfering--Honesty-- Drunkenness--Smoking--Ir'chi or Kumiss--Morality--Of lamas--Women fond of ornaments--Decency of dress-- Physique--Low muscular energy--A wrestling match--Bad legs--Bow-legged--Its causes--Complexions--Eyes--Absence of beard--Comparison with Chinese and Japanese--Effect of habits on physical development--Animal instincts in nomads--Supply the place of artificial appliances-- Permanence of types of character--Uniformity in primitive peoples--Causes that influence colour of skin--Mongol powers of endurance--Low mental capacity--Its causes-- Superstition produced by their habits--Predisposed to spiritual thraldom--The lamas and their practices-- Prayers--Knaveries of lamas--Vagabond lamas--The spread of Bhuddism--Superior to Shamanism--Shaman rites--Political result of Bhuddism--The Mongol kings--Serfs 185