274 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Pboc. 4th Sbb. 



Explanation, Plate 7 

 DESERT MOUNTAIN SHEEP 



(Ovis nelsoni) 



This species of mountain sheep or bighorn is found in the desert 

 mountains of southern California and adjacent parts of Nevada, Arizona 

 and Mexico. The animals in this group were taken in December, 1913, 

 in the San Jacinto Mountains, Riverside County, California. 



The slender horns of the females have given rise to the mistaken 

 belief that the Ibex — an animal found only in Europe and Asia — is found 

 in America. 



The story that mountain sheep sometimes jump from high precipices 

 and alight on their horns is entirely erroneous, and is on a par with the 

 hoopsnake, sea serpent and other similar stories. 



In the desert mountains water is usually scarce, and the mountain 

 sheep frequently eat the barrel cactus, the pulpy interior of which con- 

 tains a large percentage of water ; and this no doubt enables the sheep 

 to go for long periods without drinking. 



This group was prepared under the immediate direction of John Rowley. 



The background was painted by Charles Abel Corwin. 



Photo by Gabriel Moulin. 



