THE CHAMOIS. 53 



Description Choice of food, &c. 



to those whose digestion is weak. The female 

 goat generally produces two or three young at 

 a birth; but in warmer climates she is more 

 prolific. 



THE CHAMOIS. 



THIS animal is about the size of the common 

 goat, which it nearly resembles in every particu- 

 lar. Its head is embellished with Wack slender 

 horns; about eight inches high, and recurved at 

 the tips. At the back part of the base of each 

 horn, there is said to be a tolerably large orifice 

 in the skin, the nature and use of which does not 

 yet seem to be clearly ascertained. The position 

 of the ears is remarkably graceful ; and the eyes" 

 are round, sparkling, and animated. The colour 

 of the head is a yellowish white, exclusive of two 

 black stripes that descend from the horns to the 

 sides of the face ; the body is of a dusky yellow- 

 ish brown ; and the tail sable on the upper surface. 



These animals are found in flocks of from four 

 to eighty, and even a hundred, dispersed upon 

 the sublime and picturesque mountains of Swit- 

 zerland, Italy, Greece, Dauphine, &c. They do 

 not feed indiscriminately, but select the most 

 tender buds, delicate flowers, and aromatic herbs 

 for their food ; particularly the genipay and car- 

 line thistle, which, being the hottest productions 

 of the Alps, are well adapted to the warmth of 

 2 



