BOOK VIII.] History of Nature. 91 



were afraid to go that Way. The Length of their Life is ten 

 Years ; but in Ethiopia, thirteen. In the same Country, Goats 

 also live eleven Years ; whereas in the rest of the World, for 

 the most Part, they live only eight. Both Sorts become 

 fertile in four Opportunities. 



CHAPTER L. 

 Of Goats 1 and their Breeding. 



GOATS bring forth four Kids, but not often. They go 

 with Young five Months, like Ewes. She-Goats become 

 barren with Fatness. When three Years old they are not so 

 good to breed ; and when they are older, not beyond four 

 Years of Age. They begin at the seventh Month, even while 

 they snck their Dams. Both Sexes are more useful if they 

 have no Horns. The first Time in the Day that the she- 

 Goats go with the Male is void : the second is more fertile, 

 and so forward. They conceive in the Month of November, 

 so that they may bring Kids in March, when Shrubs begin 

 to bud ; and this is sometimes when they are a Year old, but 

 always at two Years; and when three, they are not utterly 

 decayed : for they are fertile for eight Years. In cold Wea- 

 ther they are liable to Abortion. The she-Goat, when her 

 Eyes are overspread with Opacity, pricketh them with the 

 Point of a Rush, and so letteth them bleed : but the Buck 

 useth the Brier for the same Purpose. Mutianus reporteth the 

 Shrewdness of this Creature as seen by himself, when, upon a 

 very narrow Bridge, one Goat met another coming opposite 

 to him from a different Direction; now because the Place was 

 so narrow that they could not pass each other, nor turn about, 

 nor yet retire backwards without seeing, considering how 

 long and slender the Plank was, and also because the Tor- 

 rent that ran beneath was rapid and dangerous, one of them 

 lay flat down, and so the other walked over his Back. Male 

 Goats are held for the best which are the most flat-nosed, 

 vith long Ears that are crumpled in, and with very long, 



1 Capra hirtus. LINN. The Goat . Wern. Club. 



