366 THE EVEN-TOED UNGULATES 



Between the bearded Goat and the beardless Sheep there 

 exist intermediate species, which so completely fill up the gaps 

 that it is almost impossible to separate the two into different 

 genera. In the Goats the horns are flattened from side to side, 

 and rough in front and arched backwards, whilst in the Sheep 

 they are more uniformly cylindrical, turned laterally, curling 

 downwards, and often corkscrewed. 



The Markhoor, or "Serpent Eater," of North-East India 

 and Cashmere, is a fine goat of larger size than the Ibex, with 

 immense, much flattened, triangular horns. The general colour 

 of the body is a dirty, light-bluish grey, the long beard being 

 of a slightly darker tint. It is a shy and active animal, in- 

 habiting the most precipitous and dangerous parts of mountain 

 regions, and leaping from rock to rock with the greatest ease 

 and agility. 



The Goats of Cashmere are famous on account of their long 

 and very fine wool, which is employed in the manufacture of cash- 

 mere shawls. The Ibex is found in the Alpine heights of Europe 

 and Western Asia, including the Himalayas ; and the Paseng is 

 the Wild Goat of Western Asia. 



The Wild Barbary Sheep is a large and handsome species, 

 with a comparatively long, tufted tail. The horns are well deve- 

 loped, though not of massive build. The hair on the chin is short, 

 whilst that along the lower margin of the neck, as well as on the 

 front of the knees, attains a great length. The American Big-Horn, 

 or Rocky Mountain Sheep, have the horns in the form of a com- 

 plete circle in the male, and they are said to come so far 

 forwards and downwards that old rams find it impossible to feed 

 on level ground. The Moufflon at one time abounded in Spain, 

 but is now restricted to the islands of Corsica and Sardinia ; its 

 horns are not very large, and curve backwards, and then inwards 

 at the tips. It frequents the summits of the precipitous hills in 

 small herds headed by an old ram. 



Of the Wild Ox that once roamed the woods and forests of 

 Britain, small herds exist in a semi-domestic state in the parks 

 of Chillingham and Cadzow, while specimens are to be seen in 

 the Zoological Gardens in London, where they breed regularly. They 

 are handsome animals with creamy white hides, red ears, black 

 muzzle, and well-developed horns. The Chillingham cattle still 



