18G8.] 427 [Hayes. 



I have obtained it prospers very well in the mountainous region of 

 that province."* The above extract is instructive as showing the 

 slowness with which this race is multiplied, the primitive flock having 

 tripled only in eighteen years. 



In 1854, the Imperial Society of Acclimation of France i-esolved 

 upon vigorous eflbrts to appropriate this race. In 1855, it was in 

 possession of a flock of ninety-two head. This flock was subdivided 

 and placed in dilFcrent districts in France. But the success was far 

 from encouraging. Many died, and those which survived gave fleeces 

 which were tar from satisfactory. In 1858, all the separate flocks 

 were reunited and placed at Souliard in the mountainous and trachy- 

 tic district of the Cantal. The animals rapidly recovered their 

 health, and were increased without suffering any malady. The 

 fleeces were in an admirable condition, and were fabricated into vel- 

 vets of such fineness and lustre that it was pronounced that "the 

 wool of the Angora goat has been ameliorated in France." The in- 

 crease of this flock was disastrously checked by the rigorous Avinter 

 of 1859, and the rainy and damp summer which succeeded. "The 

 abuiulant snows of the winter," says M. Richard, "prevented on the 

 one hand the goats from issuing from their stable ; the stabulation 

 favored in them a predominance of the lymphatic system. On the 

 other hand the showers and the incessant rains of the spring continued 

 during the whole summer. The goats, always in a damp atmosjjhere, 

 eating wet grass, contracted as well as the sheep an aqueous cachexy; a 

 third of the animals succundjed from this malady. If energetic means 

 had not been employed uj)on the first symjitom of the invasion of the 

 affection Avhich was decimating the flock, it is very probable that 

 few would have survived. The malady was arrested by a tonic and 

 fortifying medication." The flock, reduced from ninety-two head 

 in 1855 to seventy in 1862, was at the latter period in good health, f 



The experience in France, although by no means encouraging in all 

 respects, is instructive as indicating the principal cause of the destruc- 

 tion of the flocks, exposure to a damp climate. The excessive 

 climate of the middle and northern districts of this country, the cold 

 winters and warm dry summei's would seem to indicate these districts 

 as most tiivorable to the acclimation of this species. Experience has 

 fully confirmed what nught have been assumed a j)riori. The first 

 importation was made in 184 'J, by Dr. J. B. Davis, of eight Angora 

 goats, two bucks and six females. The facts relative to subsequent 

 importations and their results are given in the elaborate article of 



* Rapport deJI. Kamen de la Sagra. Bull. supr. cit., T. I., p. 23. 

 t Sur les aiiimaux de la Soci6t(5 d'Acclimatation. Par M. Richard (dii Cantal). T. 

 IX., p. 5. 



