32
burden fixed by the Government is 32 kan which, at 4 kilos per kan is 128 kilos, but generally they are loaded with three bags of rice each weighing 16 kan or a total of 48 kan equal to 192 kilos, an almost incredible weight. The animals travel 9 ri per day over very bad roads. The hind feet are unshod; on the fore feet the waraji is fastened. They boldly face the steepest gradients and descend the worst paths being guided solely by the voice, the simple bridle in the mouth being used only to stop them. The mares are singularly good-tempered, are well treated by the peasants, nor have I ever been witness of a single act of brutality. This breed of animals, though ill-looking, is precious, and great caution should be exercised in introducing foreign blood into it, especially that of American stallions, of which the Government, to its cost, has had some experience during the past two years. The cows are fine, in good condition and very gentle. A little milk can always be got from them. These observations are applicable ta all the mountains of this basin.
Sugao is a miserable village of no resources and it is difficult to find there even a bad inn. A peasant showed me for a few tempos two somewhat curious animals taken in the mountain. One is of a rodent family, a kind of grey squirred which must be somewhat analogous to what is commonly termed the flying squirrel. An elastic membrane on either side unites the anterior and posterior extremities. It is armed with very strong claws, and is about twice as large as the common squirrel of Europe. Its eyes are very convex, and its dread of strong light makes me believe that it is a Nyctalope. It feeds on nuts and fruits it is called by the natives momoga. The other was a bird of the family of the waders, which lives on fish caught in the streams. There is no appearance of a tail, which gives it a singular look. The specimen I saw was, indeed, very young. It is said to grow to the height of four feet.
From Sugao to Naganohara the roads becomes more difficult and picturesque. Before reaching Naganohara you pass, by means of a bridge of very original construction, a
