RUMINANT QUADRUPEDS. 95 



CHAPTER X. 



RUMINANT QUADRUPEDS continued. 



162. THE different species of the Ovidse, or Sheep 

 family, have many varieties, from the influence of domes- 

 tication. The Sheep is the first animal noticed in the 

 Bible as subjected to man, for " Abel was a keeper of 

 sheep." The tail of the Sheep seems to be much affected 

 by domestication, it being much larger in the domesti- 

 cated than in those that run wild. In the Egyptian and 

 Syrian Sheep it often becomes enormous, reaching a 

 weight of 50 or even 100 pounds, in which case a board 

 or a little wagon is attached to it, to prevent it from 

 dragging on the ground. This overgrown tail is mostly 

 a mass of fat, which is considered a great delicacy, and 

 is frequently used as butter. 



163. The Capridae, or Goat family, are nearly allied to 

 the Sheep. They are, however, stronger, lighter, more 

 agile, and less timid. They appear in almost all parts 

 of the world. In some countries they are greatly valued 

 for their milk. The best Morocco leather is made from 

 their skins, and the skin of the kid is much used IL mak- 

 ing fine gloves. The silken wool of the Angora Goat of 

 Asia Minor hangs in long ringlets, furnishing the ma- 

 terial for the finest camlets. From the wool of the Cash- 

 mere Goat of Thibet and the region of the Himalaya 

 Mountains, are manufactured the famous Cashmere 

 shawls. The Caucasian Ibex, Fig. 80 (p. 96), which in- 

 habits the Alpine regions of Europe and Western Asia, 

 is remarkable for its large and beautiful horns. They 

 are surrounded with rings at regular intervals, and are 

 very strong. When chased, it will frequently turn on 

 Its pursuer, and with its horns, hurl him from some 



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