366 T H E W I L D G O A T, &c. 



]y an equal fize. The number of external refem- 

 blances is fo great, and the conformity of the in- 

 ternal parts is fo complete, that we mould he in- 

 duced to conclude, that thefe two animals are not 

 only fimple, but permanent varieties of the fame 

 lpccies. Befides, the wild, as well as the chamois 

 goats *, when taken young, and reared along 

 , with the domeftic kind, are eafily tamed, aifume 

 the fame manners, go in flocks, return to the 

 fame fold, and probably couple and produce to- 

 gether. I acknowledge, however, that this laft 

 fact, which is the moft important of all, and 

 would alone decide the queftion, is by no means 

 eftablifhed. We have never been able, with 

 certainty, to learn whether the wild and chamois 

 goats produce with the common kind "j~. We 

 only fufpecl: this to be the cafe. In this refpeet, 

 we agree with the ancients ; and, befides, our 



conjecture 



* The inhabitants of the ifland of Crete might take the 

 young of the bouc-eftain (of which there are great numbers) 

 wandering in the mountains, and feed and tame them along 

 with the domeftic kind. . . . They are covered with yellow 

 hair. When old, they become gray, and a black line runs 

 along the fpine of fhe back. We have fome of them in the 

 mountains of France, and chiefly in places full of precipices. 

 and of difficult accefs. . . . The bouc-eftain leaps from one 

 rock to another, at the diftance of fix fathoms. An exertion 

 almoft incredible to thole who have not feen it ; Objerv. de 

 JJe/o/!, p. 14. — Audio Rupicapras aliquando cicurari ; Ge/her, 

 de quad. p. 292. — Vaflelli ibicem irf prima aetate captam om- 

 nino cicurari, et cum viliaticis capris ad pafcua ire et redire, 

 aiunt ; progreffu tamen aetatis ferum ingenium non prorfus 

 exuere ; Stumpfius apud Gcfner. < Hiji. quad. p. 309. 



f In the compilation of natural hiftory made by Meff. 

 Arnault de Nobleville and Salerne, it is faid, (torn. 4. p. 264.) 



that 



