WILD GOATS. 



137 



"The conies," says Solomon, "are but a feeble folk, yet 

 make they their houses in the rocks." 



The insectivorous animals are not numerous ; for, owing 

 to the comparative deficiency of vegetation, insects are 

 scarce, and the animals that prey on them would soon 

 perish for want of sustenance. Hedgehogs and moles, 

 however, are found; and in Palestine, as elsewhere, do 

 much damage to the crops by their extensive underground 

 labours. 



Among the rocks of Engedi still leaps the nimble ibex, 

 the "wild goat" of our English Bible (Ps. civ. IS). The 



WILD GOATS. 



milk of the female, the flesh of the kid, and the long fleecy 

 coat of the male are much esteemed. 



The gazelle must also be included in the fauna of Pales- 



