CHAPTER III.

Aspect of the Lamasery of Tchogortan--Contemplative 72 Lamas--Lama Herdsmen--The "Book of the Forty-two Points of Instruction, delivered by Buddha"--Extract from the Chinese Annals, with relation to the preaching of Buddhism in China--The Black Tents--Manners of the Si-Fan--Long-haired Oxen--Adventures of a stuffed Karba--Lamanesque Chronicle of the Origin of Nations--Alimentary Diet--Valuable discoveries in the Animal Kingdom--Manufacture of Camel-hair Cord--Frequent visits to Tchogortan--Classification of Argols--Brigand Anecdote--Elevation of the Pyramid of Peace--The Faculty of Medicine at Tchogortan--Thibetian Physicians--Departure for the Blue Sea