THE GOAT. 



Some have supposed that the common goat derived its 

 stock from the Caucasan, others from the common ibex. 

 This latter is much larger, stronger, and more active than 

 the common goat : its horns are sometimes three feet long, 

 of a brown colour, and knotted on the upper surface ; the 

 hair is a greyish brown, paler underneath ; the limbs are 

 blackish ; the tail short ; the head brown. The female is 

 smaller, and her horns are less in proportion. This ani- 

 mal delights in climbing precipices, hanging over the 

 steepest rocks, and leaping from crag to crag. 



The Domestic Goat is found in almost every part of our 

 globe, enduring the extremities of cold and heat, and 

 differing in size, according to circumstances. The animal 

 was unknown to the Americans previous to its introduc- 

 tion from Europe. The Goat very much resembles the 

 sheep, but is more active, sagacious, and docile. It is 

 capable of being tamed, and becomes attached to those 

 about it. The Goat delights in mountainous regions, 

 where it feeds on the most elevated pastures : it always 

 takes the lead when herded with sheep: it is a robust 

 animal, easily nourished and uninjured by any changes of 

 the weather, excepting very severe cold : it is active and 

 capricious, wandering about without any apparent object. 

 The flesh of the kid is much esteemed ; its skin, as well as 

 that of the old animal, is used as leather for gloves. It is 

 remarkable for its readiness to take a dye, and was for- 

 merly embellished with gold, silver, and brilliant colours, 

 and used as hangings for the apartments of the opulent. 

 The milk is said to be better than that of the sheep : it 

 affords little cream, but makes good cheese. The females 

 will allow themselves to be sucked by the young of other 

 animals, and even by infants. The colour of the domestic 

 goat varies, being black, brown, white or spotted. The 

 goats of Wales are said to be the finest ; they are white, 

 and very serviceable to the inhabitants, who use their milk 

 for cheese, and salt their flesh as bacon for winter use. 

 The Goat has a strong and offensive smell, which is 

 particularly displeasing in the months of September and 

 October ; this odour is supposed to be beneficial to horses, 

 on which account some persona keep a he-goat in their 

 stables. 



