WESTERN WILD SPORTS. 183 



Mountains, but are very rarely seen at any distance from the 

 mountains, where they appear to be better suited to live than 

 elsewhere. They frequent the peaks and ridges during sum- 

 mer, and occupy the vallies in winter. They are easily obtained 

 by the hunters, but their flesh is not much valued, as it is musty 

 and unpleasant ; neither do the traders consider their fleece of 

 much worth. The skin is very thick and sprmgy, and is princi- 

 pally used for making mocassins. 



" The Rocky Mountain Goat is nearly the size of a common 

 Sheep, and has a shaggy appearance, in consequence of the pro- 

 trusion of the long hair beyond the wool, which is white and 

 soft. Their horns are five inches long, and one in diameter, 

 conical, slightly curved backwards, and projecting but little 

 beyond the wool of the head. The horns and hoofs are black. 



" The first indication of this animal was given by Lewis and 

 Clarke ; and it is much to be regretted that so little is still known 

 of the manners and habits of this species. The only specimen 

 preserved entire, that we know of, is that figured by Smith in 

 the Linngean Transactions, from which the figure in our plate 

 is taken. The fineness of the wool of this animal may possibly 

 hereafter induce persons, who have it in their power, to make 

 some exertions to inti'oduce this species among our domestic 

 animals. It is said that the fleece of this Goat is as fine as that 

 of the celebrated Shawl Goat of Cashmere. 



" SHEEP ; ovis. 



" Generic Characters. — The outline of the face is arched, or 

 convex, and the mouth has no muzzle ; the ears are pointed, 

 and of middling length ; the horns, which are transversely 

 wrinkled, large and triangular, are twisted laterally into a spi- 

 ral, and have no osseous cone, of a cellular or cancellar structuie. 

 The limbs are slender, and covered with uniform short hair ; 

 the tail ife short, curved downwards, or pendulous. Neither sub- 

 ocular sinus, beard, nor inguinal pores, exist in this genus." — 

 God/nan's American Natural History. 



