IBEX 4 1 7 



Engadine, Kleven, Rheinwald, and Bregaglia. In the sixteenth century they 

 had decreased so much that in 1612 hunting was prohibited under pain of a heavy 

 fine. On the St. Gothard, however, they were not quite exterminated a hundred 

 years ago ; but they have survived longest in the Alps of Valais, between 

 Monte Rosa and Mont Blanc, whence they have spread to the mountains 

 of Faucigny. From Salzburg and Tyrol the ibex, in spite of the protection of 

 the Archbishops of Salzburg, who gave many away as presents to other princes, 

 have disappeared for more than a century. Some years ago, ibex existed in 

 considerable numbers near Monte Rosa, where about forty were seen in the 

 year 1770, but no more for a space of fifty years. In Piedmont ibex are not 

 allowed to be shot, and consequently many are found on the southern slopes of 

 Monte Rosa and the neighbouring mountains. On 26th July 1873 some 

 persons ascending the Grand Paradis (13,500 feet) saw nineteen chamois and ten 

 ibex ; and a few days after two ibex on the neighbouring Glacier de la Tribulation. 

 The number of ibex in these parts is believed to be more than 400, and skins, as 

 well as young live specimens, at £40 apiece, may be obtained from this district 

 at any time. The Alpine ibex is 5 feet long and stands 3H inches high. Its 

 scimitar-shaped and knotted horns, which are from 18 to 27 inches long, give it a 

 very stately appearance. The horns of the does are much flatter and shorter than 

 those of the bucks, and only measure 7 inches in length. In summer the ibex 

 wears a brownish coat, with isolated white hairs, and a dark brown stripe 

 down the back : the forehead and nose being brown, the cheeks yellowish, the lips 

 white, the throat grey, the hind part of the head dark brown and whitish, the 

 neck whitish grey, the hind-legs chestnut, the lower part of the body white with 

 a few black hairs, and the upper side of the tail blackish brown. The winter coat 

 consists of longer and darker hair ; and in winter the chins of the bucks carry 

 small brushes of stift* hair which can scarcely be considered proper beards, and 

 disappear in spring. The weight of the male ranges up to 220 lbs., the horns 

 weighing about 22 lbs. The body is cylindrical, the throat and neck, as well as 

 the very sinewy but relatively thin legs, are very strong and muscular; the 

 head, which is held low when at rest, and bent back when in flight, being propor- 

 tionately small. The buck has a smaller head and a rnore arched forehead 

 than the female ; the short ears are placed towards the hind part of the head, the 

 eyes are bright, and the tail, which ends in a chestnut-brown tuft, measures from 

 5 to 6 inches. 



When walking on slippery ground, ibex spread their hoofs, which are as hard 

 as steel, and uneven below. They use their horns for scratching, and for defence 

 against other bucks ; and when kicking, which they do like a goat, they stand on 

 their hind-legs and hold the head on one side. Ibex live in herds of from six to 

 fifteen head, the older members of which combine with one another to resist the 

 attack of foes. At the approach of danger, the old bucks whistle like chamois, 

 only more sharply and shortly, and when suddenly alarmed, utter a short sneezing 

 sound. These old bucks separate from the others and lead a solitaiy life. The 

 pairing, which is accompanied by the usual fights between the males, takes place 

 in January ; these ruminants being quite insensible to the cold, and often standing 

 for hours on rocks during a snow-storm while the tips of their ears are freezing. 



VOL. I. — 2 7 



