276 



Handbook of Nature-Study 



The goat is closely allied to the sheep, differing from it in only a few 

 particulars; its horns rise from the forehead curving over backward and 

 do not form a spiral like those of the ram; its covering is usually of hair, 

 and the male has a beard from which we get the name goatee; the goat 

 has no gland between the toes, and it does have a rank and disagreeable 

 odor. In a wild state, it usually lives a Httle higher up the mountains 

 than do the sheep, and it is a far more intelligent animal. Mary Austin 

 says : "Goats lead naturally by reason of a quicker instinct, forage more 

 freely and can find water on their own account, and give voice in case of 

 alarm. Goat leaders exhibit jealousy of their rights to be first over the 

 stepping-stones or to walk the teetering log bridges at the roaring creeks." 

 On the great plains, it is a common usage to place a few goats in a flock of 

 sheep, because of the greater sagacity of these animals as leaders, and also 

 as defenders in case of attack. 



Goats' teeth are arranged for cropping herbage and especially for 



browsing. There are six molar teeth on 

 each side of each jaw; there are eight 

 lower incisors and none above. The 

 goat's sense of smell is very acute; the 

 ears are movable and the sense of hear- 



Zaraihi milch goats of Egypt. 



Thompson Twenty-first Annual Report Bureau of Animal Industry, 



U. S. Department of Agriculture. 



ingis keen; the eyes are full and very intelligent; the horns are some- 

 what flattened and angular and often knobbed somewhat in front, and 

 curve backward above the neck; they are, however, very efficient as 

 weapons of defence. The legs are strong, though not large, and are well 

 fitted for leaping and running. The feet have two hoofs, that is, the 

 animal walks upon two toe-nails. There are two smaller toes behind 



