CHAP. XVII.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 341 



his assiduity, the more they receive from 

 nature." 



The GOAT seems to be the connecting link 

 between the sheep and the deer ; but although 

 more accordant in habits with the latter, yet, 

 in form and internal structure, it differs so 

 little from the sheep, that hybrids have been 

 produced between them: the continuance of 

 which, to form a mule breed, nature has, 

 however, wisely interdicted. There are se- 

 veral different foreign species of the goat, 

 but all nearly resembling the sort commonly 

 bred in this country. It is formed by nature 

 to be the inhabitant of a mountainous dis- 

 trict, for it climbs with ease the steepest pre- 

 cipices, and clings without difficulty to the 

 sharpest pinnacles of rock. It browses also 

 upon heath, wild herbs, and shrubs, and is, 

 therefore, better adapted to a hilly than to a 

 lowland country; but it readily accustoms 

 itself to the plains, and feeds there upon 

 thistles, whins, and plants, rejected by other 

 animals, or upon the very refuse of the 

 garden. To those, therefore, who, either from 

 locality, or want of means to keep a cow, are 

 deprived of milk, a goat may be found a real 



