322 Mr C. T. Tower on the Naturalizatioti of' the 



unrivalled by those of any other material. It has, therefore, 

 been considered a very desirable object to introduce the shawl- 

 goat, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the climate of 

 Europe is suitable to it 5 and whether, under these circum- 

 stances, the fine wool given it by nature, as a protection against 

 the winter cold of its own country, will be produced unimpaired 

 in the fineness of its staple. 



A few years ago some shawl-goats were introduced into Scot- 

 land ; but the experiment did not succeed, as they died without 

 any progeny. 



From France two agents were sent to Persia, under the pa- 

 tronage of the Emperor Napoleon, for the purpose of making 

 purchases of goats of the genuine Cashmere breed, in the pro- 

 vince of Caspahan. A considerable number of these animals 

 was procured ; and although many of them died in their long 

 march to the coast of the Euxine, and in their passage thence by 

 sea to Perpignan, yet a certain number survived, and were 

 brought to Paris by M. Terneau, in the year 1823. 



Mr Tower happening at that time to be in Paris, purchased 

 four of them, two males and two females, and succeeded in con- 

 veying them safely to his residence in Essex. 



The soil of the park at Weald Hall, where they have been 

 kept ever since, is moist, and the situation is much exposed. 

 The animals have, nevertheless, continued in health, and have 

 multiplied rapidly, so that his present flock consists of twenty- 

 seven, including the four original ones. Of these latter, a polled 

 female, which was old when purchased by him, has every year 

 produced at least one kid, and has twice had twins. Those in- 

 dividuals of which the horns cross are in Persia esteemed the 

 best ; and one of Mr Tower's last-year kids has this peculiarity. 

 They shew no impatience of cold, and are very healthy, requir- 

 ing only the occasional shelter of a shed in very rough weather. 

 In spring, summer, and autumn, they graze like sheep ; and 

 during winter have been fed with hay, and refuse vegetables 

 from the garden ; but their favourite food is gorse (Ulex Euro- 

 pceus), which they de'our eagerly, without being annoyed by 

 its prickles. They damage young plantations, but not more 

 than other goats or deer will do. They breed very early; 



