IN THE FAR WEST. 345 



hundred pounds. The females are somewhat smaller than the 

 rams, and their appendages, though lacking 1 in massiveness, 

 are well formed and graceful, and do not give the head 

 the stunted appearance of the males. The face, which is 

 narrow, is thoroughly ovine in appearance ; the eyes are large 

 and full, and are intended for breadth as much as intensity 

 of vision ; the legs, which are long and tapering, yet sinewy, 

 are evidently intended for both leaping and running ; and 

 the body, when in good condition, is round rather than 

 deep, and this gives the animal a graceful, active, and vigorous 

 aspect. 



The running season, which commences in the early part of 

 December, does not last very long, and though contests between 

 the mules are often waged then, yet they seldom prove serious, 

 for one, on finding that it is worsted, yields the field at once to 

 the sturdier rival, and seeks elsewhere for a mate. The selec- 

 tion of companions is not so easy a matter as it is among the 

 domestic species, and the weaker members have often to pay 

 dearly for the affection they have won. "When the running 

 season is over the old rams congregate together in bands of 

 from eight to thirty, while the younger keep with the lambs 

 and females, and act as their escorts and guardians. 



The lambs are dropped in May or early in June, according 

 to the climate of the country, among the lower foothills; but 

 as soon as they are able to travel, which is generally at the end 

 of two weeks, the mothers commence working gradually 

 upward, according as the atmosphere becomes warmer and the 

 vegetation more abundant, until they reach the snow-line, and 

 there they remain for some time, feasting on the small and 

 succulent herbage that sprouts wherever it can raise its head. 

 They tarry there until the lambs are able to move briskly 

 about and take care of themselves if necessary, then they 

 scour the hills in every direction, going wherever fancy leads 

 them, and revelling in the freedom and delights of their moun- 

 tain home. The lambs are old enough to make delicious 

 mutton, and to furnish excellent hunting at the end of three 

 months; and as their dams and sires are also in the best of 

 condition at that time, say about the middle of August, he who 



