274 ANIMALS OF THE 



ing extremely swift, and capable of running with 

 ease along the ledges of precipices, where even 

 the wolf or the fox, though instigated by hunger, 

 dare not pursue them. They are both natives of 

 the Alps, the Pyrenees, and the mountains of 

 Greece ; there they propagate in vast numbers, 

 and continue to exist, in spite of the hunter, and 

 every beast of prey that is found incessantly to 

 pursue them. 



The ibex resembles the goat in the shape of its 

 body, but differs in the horns, which are much 

 larger. They are bent backward, full of knots ; 

 and it is generally asserted that there is a knot 

 added every year. There are some of these 

 found, if we can believe Bellonius, at least two 

 yards long. The ibex has a large black beard, is 

 of a brown colour, with a thick warm coat of 

 hair. There is a streak of black runs along the 

 top of the back, and the belly and back of the 

 thighs are of a fawn colour. 



The chamois,* though a wild animal, is very 

 easily tamed, and docile, and to be found only 

 in rocky and mountainous places. It is about 

 the size of a domestic goat, and resembles one in 

 many respects. It is most agreeably lively, and 

 active beyond expression. The chamois's hair is 

 short, like that of the doe ; in spring it is of an 

 ash colour, in autumn a dun colour, inclining to 

 black, and in winter of a blackish-brown. This 

 animal is found in great plenty in the mountains 

 of Dauphiny, of Piedmont, Savoy, Switzerland, 



* M. Peroud's Account, as quoted by BufTon. 



