THE GOAT. 



305 



erect, compressed, curved backwards and rather outwards, and furnished with a longitudinal keel in 

 front, deeper than wide at the base, and with transverse ridges in front. Hoofs, four-sided, scarcely 

 higher before than behind. The skull has a small suborbital fissure, no fossa ; the masseteric ridge 

 ascending high before the orbit ; the auditory bulla prominent and compressed ; the basi-occipital flat) 

 with its processes developed ; the middle incisors not expanded ; the molars without supplemental 

 lobes. The occipital plane of skull forms an acute angle with frontal plane. Cones of horns thick, 

 porous, cellular ; horns seated superiorly on the crest of the forehead, and, by their union, covering the 

 top of the head. Canine teeth wanting. Teats, two, rarely four. The males have a strong stench; 

 they butt, first raising themselves on their hind legs, and then coming down sideways against their 

 enemies. 



THE IBEX.* 



THIS bold and powerful animal, armed with huge sweeping horns, inhabits the alpine heights of Europe 

 and Western Asia. It associates in small troops, consisting of a male and a few females. The horns 



of the male curve boldly over the back, their anterior surface presenting a series of regular protuberances 

 or partial rings ; their length is often three feet. In the female they are smaller. 



The hair of the Ibex in summer is short and close ; in winter, long arid thick ; its colour is 

 yellowish-gray, a black streak extending along the spine; the under parts of the body are while, 

 a dark tint abruptly dividing the white from the general colour above. The chin is bearded. The 

 ibex stands two feet six or eight inches in height, and is extremely active and vigorous. 



The ibex is vigilant and wary ; and it is only during the night that it descends to pasture in the 

 woods, but at sunrise again repairs to the bleak mountain summits. It is satisfied with frugal fare, 

 and a scanty supply of water. The only sound which it makes is a short whistle, and, when irritated, 

 a snorting noise. Its chase is very arduous, the animal leading its pursuer unless he can steal upon 

 it unawares with his rifle a dangerous track over steep and rugged mountain pinnacles, along the 

 brink of precipices, and over fearful chasms. When at last hard pressed, the ibex will often turn on 

 its fbe with impetuous rapidity, and hurl him down the steep rocks. In Europe, its favourite haunts 

 are the Alps, the Apennines, the Pyrenees, and the mountains of Tyrol. In Asia it is found in the 

 mountain chain of the Taurus. 



Capra Ibox. 

 VOL. TI. 39 



