The Spanish Ibex 143 



Length along front curves . . . . . 21| inches 



Circumference at base . . . . . 71 ^^ 



Widest span 16| „ 



Tip to tip 1 7 „ 



Our iiiformaut has reason to believe that ibex also exist (or 

 existed within recent years) in the rugged mountains of Tortosa, 

 farther east in Catalonia. 



In the form of its horns the Spanish ibex differs essentially 

 from the typical ibex of the Alps — now, alas, exterminated save 

 only in the King of Italy's preserved ranges around the Val d'Aosta. 

 In the true ibex the horns bend regularly backwards and down- 

 wards in a uniform, scimitar-like curve. In the Spanish species, 

 after first diverging laterally, the horns are recurved both inward 

 and finally upward. That is, in the first case they follow a 

 simple semicircular bend, while in the Spanish goats they form 

 almost a spiral. 



A minor point of difference lies in the annular rings or notches 

 which in the true ibex are rectangular, encircling the horn in front 

 like steps in a ladder, while in (7apr« hispdnica they rather run 

 obliquely in semi-spiral ascent. These annulations indicate the 

 age of the animal — one notch to each year — but the count must 

 stop where the spiral ends. Beyond that is the lightly grooved 

 tip, which does not alter. 



The horns of old rams (which are often broken or worn down 

 at the tips) average 26 to 28 inches, specially fine examples 

 reaching 29 inches or more. The females likewise carry horns, 

 but short and slender, only measuring 6 or 7 inches. 



The six isolated colonies of ibex, separated from each other 

 during ages, live under totally different natural conditions. For 

 while some, as stated, exist at 8000, 10,000, or 12,000 feet 

 altitude, others occupy hills of much more moderate elevations 

 — say 4000 to 6000 feet, some of which are bush -clad to 

 their summits. Under such circumstances there have naturally 

 developed divergencies not only in habits, but in form and size. 

 Particularly does this apply to the horns, and for that reason 

 we give a series of photos of typical examples from various 

 points. 



The ibex of the Pyrenees is certainly the largest race, and 

 has been entitled by scientists Capra 2'>y^'€,naica ; those of the 

 centre and south of Spain being differentiated as C. hispdnica^ 



