89 



CHAPTER VIII. 



THE CHAMOIS. 



i 



HAVING come thus far, it is time, I think, to give some 

 account of the chamois itself. First of all be it known 

 the chamois is no goat*, but belongs to the antelope 

 genus f, of which it is the only specimen inhabiting 

 Europe. It is larger and more strongly built than a 

 roebuck, and is much heavier. A good buck will 

 weigh 55ft., and one above 60ft. is a particularly fine 

 fellow. My friend Count Arco has however shot some 

 that weighed 74ft. and 82ft. But such are rare and 

 difficult to get at; for these old bucks remain alone 

 in their inaccessible fastnesses and the most secluded 

 places ; and it is only when the winter has set in, and 



* " Well, Peter, I do not think that the sport was so bad after all ; 

 for I believe that the chamois, in chase .of which the Swiss risk their 

 lives, and are out for days together on mountains of eternal ice and 

 snow, is little better than a great goat after all." 



" I didna hear of sic a beast mysel j but I ken, by yer honour's 

 account, he is no worth the speering at." The Art of Deer Stalking, 

 by W. Scrope, Esq., chap. vii. 



f Antilope rupicapra. 



