TENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 



227 



are quite different from those of the mountain sheep ; but some 

 of these points will best be summarized after a narrative of my 

 experience. 



FOOT STRL'CTURE OF THE GOAT. 



The accompanying illustrations show the remarkably adaptive 

 structure of the foot of the goat. Mr. Hornaday kindly secured 

 this specimen for me by placing the foot of a freshly killed animal 

 in dilute alcohol. The drawings are executed with fidelity by 

 Mr. E. C. Christman. 



The horny part of the foot surrounds only the extreme front. 

 Behind this crescentic horn is a shallow concavity which gives the 



Second Series, Photograph 8. 



horny hoof a chance to get its hold. Both the main digits and the 

 dew claws terminate in black, rubber-like, rounded and expanded 

 soles, which are of great service in securing a firm footing on the 

 shelving rock and narrow ledges on which the animal travels with 

 such ease. This sole, Smith states, softens in the snow and water- 

 soaked earth and wears away in the spring of the year, when the 

 snow is leaving the ground, a fresh layer of the integument tak- 

 ing its place. The rubber-like balls with which the dew claws 

 are provided are by no means useless; they project back below 



