96 CHAMOIS HUNTING. 



the one which man least needs, not wanting it for his 

 safety, but possessing it solely to minister to his plea- 

 sures. When therefore we find it extremely acute in 

 another animal, it strikes us more than any example of 

 an unusually sharp sight or an extraordinary 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 sud- 

 denly 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 imme- 

 diately in an opposite direction. The taint which the 

 presence of the hunter has left behind is perceived by it 

 long after he has passed. 



Chamois are instinctively very cautious in passing a 

 spot exposed to avalanches. They do not cross alto- 

 gether, but one advances slowly towards the middle of 

 the passage, and then darts on with all speed. So the 

 others. Should snow come sliding down while one is 

 passing, he does not run onwards, as a man in his fright 

 would no, but sidewards to the shelter of the overhang- 

 ing rock. 



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 pursued. 

 A smooth surface of rock, so smooth that a footing there 

 seems impossible, and of nearly perpendicular steepness, 

 is no obstacle to their flight. Down they go, now bound- 

 ing, now gliding, with a velocity which seems to ensure 

 their being inevitably dashed to pieces. 



The chief strength of the animal is in its hind legs, 

 which, if extended, would be longer than the others. On 

 this account it springs upwards with more ease than it 



