MAMMALIA— GOAT. 369 



them have a black stripe on the back, and both, likewise, have a tail nearly 

 of the same size. The number of exterior resemblances is so great, in com- 

 parison with the differences, and the conformity of the exterior parts is so 

 complete, that if we reason in consequence of these accounts, we might be 

 led to believe, that these two animals are not really of a different species, 

 but that they are simply only constant varieties of one and the same species. 

 The ibex, as well as the chamois, when taken young and brought up with 

 domestic goats, is easily tamed; and, accustomed to domesticity, imbibe 

 the same manners, and herd together. The animal is five feet in length, 

 and inhabits the Alps, Pyrenees, and other mountains in Europe. 



THE DOMESTIC GOAT. 1 



Although the goat is a distinct species, and perhaps more distant from 

 that of the sheep than the species of the ass is from that of the horse, 

 yet goats will willingly couple with sheep, as the ass with the mare, and 

 are sometimes prolific ; but they have never introduced any intermediate 

 species between the goat and the sheep. These two species are distinct, 

 remaining constantly separated, and always at the same distance from each 

 other, and have never been changed by this mixture, or produced any new 

 stock, or new breed of intermediate animals ; for they have, at most, only 

 produced different individuals, which has no influence on the unity of each 

 primitive species, and which, on the contrary, confirms the reality of their 

 different characteristics. 



The goat has naturally more understanding, and can shift better for her- 

 self than the sheep ; she comes voluntarily, and is easily familiarized ; she 

 is sensible of caresses, and capable of attachment ; she is also stronger, 

 lighter, more agile, and less timid than the sheep ; she is lively, capricious, 

 and lascivious. 



Goats are fond of straying in solitary places, are fond of climbing up steep 

 places, sleeping on the tops of rocks, and on the brink of precipices. Thev 

 leap with ease and security among the most dreadful precipices ; and 



1 Copra hircus, Lin. 



47 



