THE CHAMOIS. 97 



sufficient evidence that the senses of these animals are 

 particularly acute. If but the gentlest wave be moving 

 in the air, coming from you to them, they at once 

 become aware of your presence, long before you per- 

 ceive them or they see you. 



In the human being this particular sense is, com- 

 paratively speaking, less developed than the others*. 

 It is the one which man least needs, not wanting it 

 for his safety, but possessing it solely to minister to 

 his pleasures. 'When therefore we find it extremely 

 acute in another animal, it strikes us more than any 

 example of an unusually sharp sight or an extraor- 

 dinary power of hearing ; just as we are always more 

 astonished at that in another which we are least able 

 to achieve ourselves. A chamois, when dashing down 

 the mountains, will suddenly stop as if struck by a 

 thunderbolt, some yards from the spot where recent 

 human footprints are to be found in the snow, and, 

 turning scared away, rush off immediately in an op- 

 posite direction. The taint which the presence of the 

 hunter has left behind is perceived by it long after he 

 has passed. 



The agility of the chamois has become almost pro- 

 verbial ; but to have any idea of what it is, one must 

 be an eye-witness of the bounds they make, and see 

 the places they will race down at full speed when 



* This sense of smell is developed in a very high degree in the 

 wild boar. I have often been surprised, when stealing upon one in 

 the woods, to observe how soon he has become aware of my neigh- 

 bourhood. Lifting his head, he would sniff the air inquiringly, then, 

 uttering a short grunt, make off as fast as he could. 



H 



