GOAT OF ANGOLA. MOUFFLON. SHEEP. 115 



forth. Being strong and intrepid, the chase of these 

 animals is difficult, and sometimes dangerous : they will, 

 when pressed, endeavour to precipitate the incautious 

 hunters from the rocks ; while, in the last extremity, they 

 will fling themselves down the highest precipices, and, 

 falling on their horns, escape unhurt. 



THE GOAT OF ANGOLA. 



This animal seems to be confined to a district of two or 

 three days' journey in extent, about Angola, Beibazar, 

 and Cougua, in Asiatic Turkey. It is covered with fine 

 brown, black, or white hair, of a silky texture, which forms 

 the chief materials of our best camlets. The goat-herds 

 are extremely careful of their flocks, frequently combing 

 and washing them ; and this gives a beauty to their hair, 

 which is unrivalled in any other part of the world. 



THE MOUFFLON. 



This animal, the capra ammon of Linnaeus, has obtained 

 various appellations : by some it is considered as the 

 sheep in its native state, and indeed it bears a more 

 striking resemblance to the ram than to any other animal. 

 It has been known to intermix with the domestic sheep ; 

 and, though by nature extremely wild, retains all the 

 marks of the primitive race, except that it is covered 

 with hair rather than wool. 



There is a strong similitude between the male and the 

 female of this species, but the latter is considerably 

 smaller. The horns of the ram, in all their convolutions, 

 have been sometimes known to measure two ells in length, 

 and with these it maintains obstinate conflicts with others 

 of its kind. 



The moufflon is extremely fleet : it inhabits the most 

 uncultivated parts of Greece, Sardinia, and Corsica, and 

 is found likewise in the deserts of Tartary. 



THE SHEEP, 



The distinguishing characters of this genus are, the 

 horns hollow, bent backwards, wreathed, crooked, and 



