6;o 



THE GOAT. 



The members of the genus Hircus maybe distinguished from the ibex and the sheep 

 by the peculiar formation of their horns, which are compressed, are rounded behind, 

 and furnished with a well-developed keel in front. In some instances the keel is ragged, 

 or appears like a series of knobs, but in all cases it is prominently conspicuous. 



There are an enormous number of varieties of the common domestic GOAT, many of 

 them being so unlike the original stock from which they sprang as to appear like a 

 different species. For the present, we will turn to the common goat of Europe, with 

 which we are all so familiar. This animal is often seen domesticated, especially in 

 and about stables, as there is a prevalent idea that the rank smell of the Goat is bene- 

 ficial to horses. Be this as it may, the animal seems quite at home in a stable, and a 

 very firm friendship often arises between the Goat and one of the horses. Sometimes 

 it gets so petted by the frequenters of the stables, that it becomes presumptuous, and 

 assaults any one whom it may not happen to recognize as a friend. Happily, a Goat, 

 however belligerent he may be, is easily conquered if his beard can only be grasped, 

 and when he is thus captured, he yields at once to his conqueror, assumes a downcast 

 air, and bleats in a very pitiful tone, as if asking for mercy. 



GOAT. 



At the Cape of Good Hope, large flocks of these animals are kept and are extremely 

 sagacious, needing no goat-herd to watch them, and are altogether more wise than 

 sheep. In the morning they sally out upon their foraging expeditions, and in the evening 

 they voluntarily return. It is said that Goats are the only animals that will boldly face 

 fire, and that their chief use in a stable is to lead the horses from the stalls in case of 

 the stables being burned. Horses are such nervous, excitable animals, that when their 

 dwelling has taken fire they cannot be induced to face the dreaded element, and must 

 see some other animal lead the way before they will dare to stir. It is also said, and 

 apparently with reason, that in case of fire, a horse may be easily removed from the 

 scene of danger by harnessing him as usual, instead of trying to lead him out at once. 

 The animal has learned to connect obedience and trustfulness with the harness, and 

 while he bears the bit in his mouth, and the saddle or traces on his back, he will go 

 wherever he may be led. Blindfolding the horse is another good method of inducing 

 the animal to follow its guide without hesitation. 



