332 Zoological Collections. 



uncertain characters, varying as they do in form, in similar species, yet, 

 even in this respect, our animal offers stronger analogy to the goat than to 

 the nearest allied congenera. 



The horns of the young male goat are very similar to those of the 

 Capra montana. 



Habit and Country. For the following information concerning this 

 highly interesting animal, we are under many obligations to Major S. H. 

 Long, being chiefly the copy of a letter addressed by him to the Philadel- 

 phia Agricultural Society. 



" The information I am able to furnish, was obtained on the late expe- 

 dition to the sources of St Peter's River, &c. and was procured principally 

 from Donald M'Kinzie, Esq. (of the family of Sir Alexander M'Kinzie,) 

 stationed at the junction of the Assiniboin and Red Rivers, in the capacity 

 of chief factor for the Hon. H. B. Company on that station ; the intelli- 

 gence furnished by this gentleman was from personal observation. 



" The Rocky Mountain sheep inhabit the elevated region comprised in 

 that portion of the mountain range from which its name is derived, si- 

 tuate between the forty-eighth and sixtieth parallels of north latitude.* 

 They are found in great numbers near the head waters of the north fork 

 of Columbia River, where their flesh constitutes the principal food of the 

 natives. The country at the sources of Muddy River, (Marais River of 

 Lewis and Clark,) Saskatchawin and Athabaska Rivers, are also inhabited 

 by them ; but they are said to be less numerous on the eastern slope of 

 the Rocky Mountains than upon the western ; they are seldom or never 

 seen at a distance from the mountains, the climate and productions of 

 ■which appear best adapted to their nature and mode of life. In summer, 

 they resort to the peaks and ridges in quest of pasture, but retire to the val- 

 leys in winter. The size of the animal is nearly the same as that of the com- 

 mon sheep ; their fleece is white, interspersed with long hair, protruding 

 beyond the wool, and standing erect on the surface of the body, which 

 gives them a shaggy appearance ; their horns are short, merely projecting 

 beyond the wool of the head, and slightly arcuated backwards ; these, to- 

 gether with their hoofs, are black, while the other parts of their bodies 

 are uniformly white ; their flesh has a musky flavour, and is, at best, un- 

 savoury. 



" They are of easy access to the hunter, who seldom pursues them un- 

 less compelled by hunger. Their fleece is esteemed of little value by the 

 traders, and is used only as a covering to the feet during winter ; their 

 skin is of a remarkably thick and spongy texture. It has been asserted by 

 good judges, that the silky fineness of the wool is not surpassed by that of 

 the Cashmere Goat." 



* Lewis and Clarke observed this animal as low as forty-five degrees of north 

 latitude. Vid. Exped. up the Missouri, vol. ii. pp. 35, 49. 



