XV. GOATS AND SHEEP 



The ruminants, or cud chewers, it will be observed, differ 

 greatly in their horns. Those previously referred to cast 

 them at regular intervals, and with the general exception 

 of the reindeer the males alone possess these weapons. 

 There are many others, as the goats, sheep, oxen, buffaloes, 

 and antelopes, in which horns are permanent, with one 

 exception never being cast, and are in the main hollow. 



The goats and sheep are peculiarly valuable to man, 

 the wool of sheep alone being one of the most valuable of 

 all commodities. One hundred thousand lambskins, six 

 hundred thousand astrakhan skins, and two million com- 

 mon sheepskins are used annually in trade, while millions 

 of pounds of wool are used for cloth and garments of every 

 kind. The cheapest and coarsest varieties are employed 

 by the carpet weavers. The goats are quite as valuable, 

 mohair and cashmere being made from them, and fifteen 

 milUon pounds of Angora wool alone are used annually. 

 The horns, hoofs, and other portions all possess a value to 

 the manufacturer. 



On the island of Santa Catalina are found the only large 

 herds of the wild goats in America, several thousand run- 

 ning wild on the picturesque mountains of this isle of per- 

 petual summer. They differ but little from the ordinary 

 goat, but have attained a greater growth of hair. They 

 were placed there about fifty years ago and have become 

 so wild that they afford excellent sport. 



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