MOUNTAIN MILK-GIVERS. 



191 



digestible than that of cows, and in many mountain-re- 

 gions it is valued for its milk products, cheese and butter. 

 The skins of the goat and kid are valued in the manufact- 

 ure of fine shoes and gloves. 



2. The Rocky Mountain goat resembles the merino 

 sheep in figure and size. Its horns are small, conical, 

 smooth, nearly erect, 



and jet-black. Its 

 outer hair is long, 

 straight, white, and 

 soft, and hangs 

 down all over the 

 body. It inhabits 

 the highest and most 

 inaccessible parts of 

 the Rocky Mount- 

 ains, and is very 

 difficult to procure. 

 The cashmere goat, 

 whose home is in 

 Thibet, has long, 

 straight, silky hair, large pendent ears, and slender legs. 

 Its fleece has become famous by the rare texture of the 

 fabrics into which it enters. The cashmere shawls have 

 great value, and the kingdom of Cashmere, in India, has 

 built up an extensive industry in the manufacture of these 

 articles. It operates sixteen thousand looms, and turns 

 out thirty thousand shawls annually. It requires a year 

 to make a single shawl of a rich pattern. 



3. The angora goat, which takes its name from the 

 city of Angora, in Asia Minor, nearly resembles the cash- 

 mere species. Its hair is not straight, but hangs in long, 

 flowing tresses of spiral ringlets. Its fleece is used in the 

 manufacture of beautiful light fabrics called zephyr-cloths. 



The Rocky Mountain Goat. 



