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OF GOATS IN GENERAL. 



THESE animals are to be considered as truly 

 alpine, since, in a wild state, they inhabit those 

 countries only, in various parts of Asia, Africa, and 

 Europe, where the mountains are lofty and pre- 

 cipitous. In activity they almost equal the Ante- 

 lopes, bounding from crag to crag with fearless 

 intrepidity. fc I have seen a Goat dance, and 

 scratch one of its ears with its hind feet, (says, 

 Mr. Gray, with great expression, ) in a place where 

 I would not have stood stock still, for all beneath 

 the moon." In these their native wilds, they as- 

 semble sometimes in numerous flocks, and browse 

 on the short mountain grasses, the branches of 

 alpine shrubs, and various species of lichen and 

 moss. If they are caught young, and properly 

 trained, all the species may be rendered perfectly 

 tame and familiar. 



Goats are easily distinguished from Sheep at 

 first sight, by their horns being more erect, and 

 their body being covered with long, shaggy hair, 

 instead of wool. They likewise differ from those 

 animals in their mode of fighting. The Sheep 

 butt at each other, holding their heads down, 

 running with enormous force, and striking with 

 the front of their horns; whilst the Goats rise 



almost 



