Hayes.] 408 [March 18, 



The point "Of inquiry most strictly pertinent to the objects of this 

 Society and one at the same time eminently practical, as indicating the 

 laws which govern the reproduction of this animal, thus illustrating 

 the relations of pure science Avith utilitarian ends, is the determina- 

 tion of the specific source of the Angora goat. 



The popular opinion as to the origin of this species is founded upon 

 the authority of Cuvier, who mentions but three species of the genus 

 Capra—Cnpra cegragus, Capra ibex, Capra caucasica. He says, 

 "Capra cegragus appears to be the stock of all the varieties of domes- 

 tic goat;" adding that they vary infinitely in size and color, in the 

 leno-th and fineness of the hair, in the size of the horns, and even in 

 the number; the Angora goats of Cappadocia having the largest and 

 most sillcy hair.* 



The more recent researches of zoologists have greatly developed 

 the knowledge of this genus. Instead of three only there are now 

 recognized nine species of wild goats, Avhich are divided into two 

 groups based upon the form of the horns : — 



Capra ibex. 

 Capra hispanica. 

 Capra pyrenaica. 

 Capra caucasica. 

 Capra sibirica. 

 Capra Walei. 

 Capra Bedeu. 



2. Group with horns compressed and ca- | Capra Falconeri. 

 rinated in front. 1 Capra agragus.t 



Note. — The Cashmere Goat. The only goat beside the Angora which is 

 strictly lanigerous is the Cashmere or Tliibetian goat, which abounds in Cen- 

 tral Asia, but whose origin is still obscure; although it has, according to Brandt, 

 affinities with tlie Angora race. The size of the Cashmere goat is quite large; 

 the horns are flattened, straight and black, and slightly divergent at the ex- 

 tremities. The ears' are large, flat, and pendant. The primary hair, which is 

 long, silky and lustrous, is divided upon the back, and falls down upon the 

 flanks in wavy masses. Beneath this hair there is developed in the autumn a 

 short and exceedingly fine wool, from which the famous Cashmere shawls are 

 fabricated. The enormous prices of these shawls when extensively introduced into 

 France at the commencement of the present century, as high as ten or twelve 

 thousand francs, stimulated the French fabricants to emulate the Indian tissues. 

 The first yarns from Cashmere wool wei-e spun in 1S15, and the high numbers were 

 worth eight dollars per pound. The peculiar Indian texture called "Espouline " 

 was perfectly achieved; and the success in this manufacture was hailed as the 

 most brilliant triumph of the textile industry of France. Under the patronage 

 of Monsieur, afterwards Charles X., in 1819 a great number of these goats were 



* Animal Kingdom, Mc Murtrie's Translation. Vol. I., p. 198. 

 t Essai sur les chevres par M. Sacc. Bulletin supr. cit., T. ill., p. 519, 561, T. iv., 

 p. 3. Giebel. 



1. Group with horns flat in front, hav- 

 ing a horizontal triangular section, and ^ 

 furnished with large transversal knots. 



