TAILGAN.
"The tailgan, or autumn meeting of the Mongols, is probably the
tai-lin, or autumn meeting, of the ancient Hiung-nu described on p. 10,
Vol. XX. of the China Review. The Kao-ch'e (= High Carts, Toeloes, or
early Ouigours) and the early Cathayans (Sien-pi) had very similar customs.
Heikel gives an account of analogous 'Olympic games' witnessed at Urga in
the year 1890." (E.H. PARKER, Asiatic Quart. Rev., Jan., 1904, pp.
140-1.)
LI., p. 251. Read T'ung hwo period (A.D. 992) instead of (A.D. 692).
LII., pp. 252, 254, n. 3. "[The Tartars] live on the milk and meat which
their herds supply, and on the produce of the chase; and they eat all
kinds of flesh, including that of horses and dogs, and Pharaoh's rats, of
which last there are great numbers in burrows on those plains."
Pharaoh's rat was the mangouste or ichneumon (Herpestes ichneumon)
formerly found in this part of Asia as well as in Egypt where it was
venerated. Cf. Cathay, II., p. 116.
LII., p. 254. Instead of "his tent invariably facing south," read
"facing east" according to the Chou Shu. (PELLIOT.)
LII., p. 256 n.
MARRIAGE.
The China Review, Vol. XX. "gives numerous instances of marrying
mothers-in-law and sisters-in-law amongst the Hiung nu. The practice was
common with all Tartars, as, indeed, is stated by Yule." (E.H. PARKER,
Asiatic Quart. Rev., Jan., 1904, p. 141.)
LII., p. 257 n.
