TO THE MOUNTAINS 



which it dwells ; and that it will avoid the notice 

 of the hunter by hanging by the crooks of its 

 horns over some ledge of rock. 



The blood of the chamois was formerly con- 

 sidered to be possessed of valuable medicinal 

 qualities ; and the celebrated Bezoar stone an 

 accumulation of hair and resinous fibre occasionally 

 found in the stomach of the animal was believed 

 in as a sovereign remedy for all the ills to which 

 mankind is heir! 



In these days of excellent and popular natural 

 histories, every one is familiar with the appearance 

 of the chamois. Horns are common to both sexes ; 

 but the buck's differ from those of the doe in their 

 greater thickness at the base, and the sharper bend 

 of the curve. 



Chamois change their colour with the season. 

 In summer they are of a greyish brown ; but in 

 winter their coats become much longer and thicker, 

 and are almost black. They are gregarious ; and, 

 like all animals that are found in herds, have always 

 a sentinel, whilst feeding, to guard their safety. 

 The old bucks, however, prefer a solitary existence, 

 and are only to be found with their families during 

 the rutting season. This, with the chamois, begins 

 as a rule in the first week of November. The buck 

 at this time is even more exercised, perhaps, than 

 the lordly stag in the guarding of his harem. Not 



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