The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1920-11-12
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wishes seriously to study Asiatic 20
ology one must go to the British Mu-
scum Of London. 1t Is hoped that this
expedition will bring to New York the
greatest natural history collections
which the world has ever seen and
will make New York the center of
Asiatic scientific activity.
One of the reasons why so little Is |
known Of the fossils of China and |,
Interior Asia Is that material of this |
sort is Of considerable value to the |
Chinese. Fossils are supposed to have |
wonderful medicinal qualities. They
are known as dragons bones" and
whenever fossil yielding locality has
been found. 1t is carefully concealed.
Nevertheless during the last three
years DR.. ]. G. Anderson, Mining Ad-
wiser to the Chinese Republic, has
been carrying on Investigations ON be-
half Of Swedish institutions and has
made some remarkable discoveries. DR..
Anderson Is practically the first sci
enlist who has ever collected fossils
personally In China.
We know almost as little about some
Of the living natives of Asia as about
the fossil history Of the country. Long
| before the Chinese arrived, China was
inhabited by aboriginal tribes, which
were pushed south and west Just
as the Indians were driven westward
by the white men when they nd
vanced across the American continent.
The remnants Of nearly thirty of
these ancient tribes such as the Lolos,
Mosos, Lisos and others. are rapidly
disappearing and yet almost nothing
is known of their origin, life or Gus
toms.
Keep Chinese Out
Although many of the aborigines
were scattered among the mountains
of vunnan and Kweichow and along
the Tibetun frontier, the Lolos still
maintain an Independent territory In
Szechuan, one of the richest and most
populous provinces Of China. No Chi
nese is permitted to cross the invisible
lines of their "kingdom'' without the
probability of mourning violent
death. Continual raids are carried on
back and forth along the border. Per-
haps the Chinese will capture score
or more of LolOs who have ventured
to glimpse the world beyond their WILD
, hills and valleys. In retaliation, few
nights later. the Lolos will burn 9
whole Chinese village. kill all the mer
, and carry the women into slavery
, Thus the Lolos have earned II reputa
tion as barbaric savages. And yet
French explorer who crossed thel
/. territory, properly "chaperOned." re
a ports them to be charming people. o
! hospitable temper and high mentality
!, He Is one of the few scientists VIII,
. have penetrated the land Of the Lolo
! and live to tell the tale. Mr.. Andrews
= who has hunted with Lolos in Yunnar
q found them Independent, to be sure
but delightful in their native courtes
and simplicity.
He says: III is impossible not to b
q interested in this strange people. The
!. are totally unlike the Chinese. fG
L they are tall and slender. with lon
U show every indication of Caucasia
'e blood. II they have 1t. where did
N come from? This IL one Of the que
It tions that should be answered befol
the LOlos disappear. as the other tribe
n az rapidly doing"
:" There are many reasons why Gel
'e trail Asia has remained scientifical
=" UNEMPLOYED for so long time. It
- SO remote and difficult of access tn,
y. tile cost Of conducting work on
~ large scale Is enormous. Moreove
" the country and its Inhabitants pr
's sent unusual obstacles to scientific Z
~ search. Not only are there vast
- tersecting mountain chains, waterle
- deserts and treeless plains. but
many parts the climate Is too cold {
ny effective work In winter. In sor
m places the natives are exceeding
as suspicious Of foreigners; religious I
m perstitions greatly handicap resear
OF and make 1t decidedly dangerous
Chinese superstltiov&
al. The Chinese have many supers
lions regarding the ground. The Re
tho shut. the spirits Of the earth. wi
the and water. must always be favoral
nv. before q burial takes place. and Il
to exceedingly unlucky to disturb
fu- ground In the region Of q cemete
No Though our paleontologists are Z