ON PLAIN AND PEAK 



content with merely driving away an intending 

 rival, he will even chase the invader down a whole 

 mountain side, across the valley, and up the op- 

 posite peak ; to return to find the fickle ladies, over 

 whom he rules, have most likely been abducted by 

 other adventurous strangers ! Thus his domestic 

 troubles are never ending. 



The surefootedness of the chamois is its most 

 striking feature. There is perhaps no more won- 

 derful sight in Nature than to watch a herd of these 

 animals ascend the steep face of one of the giant 

 Alpine peaks. To the observer the rock may ap- 

 pear unscaleable, but the chamois leap nimbly from 

 one projecting ledge to another, with never a slip or 

 falter. The hind legs are longer than the forelegs, 

 so they ascend the rocky cliffs more easily and 

 quickly than they descend them. In descending, 

 however, another marvellous contrivance of Nature 

 comes into play. The hind feet possess false hoofs, 

 which catch in every crack and crevice, and thus 

 act as a sort of brake ; whilst the animal slides for- 

 ward on the sharp hoofs of its fore-feet, which are 

 set close together, and kept well in advance. 



There is no beast better able to take care of 

 itself than this mountain antelope. Endowed with 

 keen sight and hearing, its scent is still far more 

 remarkable. Any one who has participated in a 

 chamois drive will have noticed the enormous 



150 



