Chapter IV. 



'British Mitch Coats. 



FOR the same reason as that already given with regard 

 to the goats of Europe generally, there exists a certain 

 diversity of characteristics amongst the goats of the British 

 Isles. These have in times past been crossed with foreign 

 specimens, chiefly from India and Malta, that were landed 

 on our shores from mail steamers and private yachts, hav- 

 ing been used to supply milk during the voyage. In later 

 years, for the purpose of obtaining fresh blood and breed- 

 ing superior milking-stock, importations have been made in 

 addition from Switzerland and the Cape, whilst a few 

 Nubians and others of similar type have found their way 

 into this country. All this foreign blood has left its mark 

 in one way or other, and it can generally be detected either 

 by the shape and size of the ears, by the configuration of 

 the head and horns, or by the colour and markings of the 

 coat. Nevertheless two types of the common goat exist, 

 the one in England and the other in Ireland and Wales, 

 which are so distinct that there is no difficulty in iden- 

 tifying them. 



The English Goat. 



I have been at some considerable pains to ascertain 

 the points of the original English breed; and from the 

 descriptions in old works in which goats are mentioned, 



