HABITAT OF THE CHAMOIS. 223 



intense excitement takes away all dread of dan- 

 ger, for I have seen it exemplified many times, 

 not only on the hunting-ground but also on the 

 field of battle. An ardent hunter, like a daring 

 soldier, possesses a mental energy superior to all 

 thought of peril; for, seeking only the attain- 

 ment of his purpose, he pursues his course with 

 that dogged stubbornness, inflexibility of pur- 

 pose, and recklessness of self-preservation that 

 make him invincible, and ensure success in the 

 end. 



Chamois, ibex, mouflon, burrul, gooral, surrow, 

 thaar, markore, oves-ammon, and other grega- 

 rious animals of the wild goat or sheep species, 

 are generally found amongst the rugged crags 

 of the loftiest ranges, their food chiefly consisting 

 of the different mosses and short crisp delicate 

 herbage indigenous to high altitudes. 



They seem little affected by cold, for in the 

 daytime they remain in the most secluded and 

 inaccessible spots, far above the limits of vegeta- 

 tion, and in the evening move downwards towards 



