Chapter VII. 



The Angora or "Mohair" Coat. 



THE Angora, known also af the Mohair goat, has been 

 regarded by some naturalists as a distinct species, 

 approaching more in its appearance and characteristics to 

 the genus Ovis. The face resembles that of the sheep, 

 both in outline and expression, whilst the similitude is 

 rendered still more striking by the thick fleecy covering 

 which envelops the animal from the top of the head nearly 

 down to the hocks (Fig. 8). This analogy extends even 

 to its milk and flesh, the former being, though less abun- 

 dant than in other breeds, richer in nitrogenous elements, 

 and containing, like sheep's milk, a larger proportion of 

 casein; whilst the meat has the flavour and texture of 

 mutton. Even the bleat of this breed resembles more that 

 of the sheep than the goat, the cry being softer and more 

 approaching the "baa" of the lamb. It is doubtless 

 owing to this resemblance that Pallas regards the Angora 

 breed as a cross between the goat and the sheep, though 

 it is the general opinion of naturalists at the present day 

 that it is descended from Capra falconeri, whilst the 

 varieties described in previous chapters have their origin in 

 C. cegagrus. In spite, however, of its resemblance to 

 the sheep, there are many points which clearly denote 

 that the Angora belongs to the genus Capra and not to 



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