306 FAMILY CAPRIDJE ; SYRIAN AND ANGORA GOATS. 



272. Although from the family Antelopidce, we were led 

 by the Gnu and other Bovine species to the family Bovidce, the 

 family we have now to consider, the CAPRID.E or Sheep and 

 Goat tribe, is equally connected with it, by the Caprine Ante- 

 lopes formerly described (267). This family differs from that 

 of the Antelopes, by the structure of the core of the horns, which 

 is solid in the latter family, whilst in the Capridae and Bovidse it 

 is more or less hollowed into cavities or cells. Between the 

 Oxen and the Sheep and Goats, the principal differences are such 

 as have reference to their size and habits. Between the Goats 

 and the Sheep, the differences are extremely trifling ; for although 

 the distinction is obvious enough in our domesticated breeds, it is 

 almost imperceptible when we compare the wild species and the 

 domesticated races of other countries. The original stock of the 

 Common Goat, as of other races of animals early subjugated by 

 Man, cannot be distinctly traced ; but it appears to be the same 

 with that of numerous half- domesticated breeds, which abound in 

 Asia. Of these, the one to which it probably approaches most 

 nearly, is the Syrian Goat, whose long hair was employed at a 

 very early period for the manufacture of stuffs ; whilst the milk 

 yielded by the females has been a most important article of food 

 to the inhabitants of that region. The Angora Goat has the hair 



FIG. 157. ANGORA GOAT. 



longer and mere silky ; whilst the general aspect of the animal 

 more resembles that of the Sheep. The length and silkiness of 



