ORDER VIII. THE RUMINANTIA. 303 



dangers In pursuit of tliem. The agility and sure-footedness of the chamois 

 are remarkable, often leaping from twelve to twenty, and sometimes thirty 

 feet. 



Aplocerus Lrnugcra. — The Wool-bearing Antelope. In the robust and 

 sheep-like form of tjiis animal one fails to find any character of the elegant 

 and slender antelope. It inhabits the Rocky jNIoiintaius, frcijuenting the 

 loftiest peaks. The size is about that of the common sheep. The horns 

 are awl-shaped, nearly erect, and pointed. The fleece is composed of long, 

 straight, white hair, coai-ser than the wool of sheep, but finer than that of 

 goats. 



Genus Capea. — The Goats. These animals are furnished witli horns, 

 which bend gradually upwards and backwards, a long beard, and a coat 

 of shaggy hair. They inhabit mountainous regions, often near the vicinity 

 of perpetual snow ; are extremely active and sure-footed, and climb steep 

 precipices with the greatest ease and safety. Gloves are manufactured from 

 the skins of the kids, while those of the goats are manufactured into 

 morocco. The hair of one species, the Cashmere, is the material from 

 which the beautiful shawd of that name is made. 



C. ^-Egagrus. The jEgagrus is a native of the European Alps, and, 

 though more slender, is somewhat higher than the common goat. Its 

 limbs arc stout, neck thick, and the huge horns are thrown backwards. 



C. Ibex. — The European Ibex. This animal is now confined to the 

 Alps of Switzerland and the Tyrol, and some of the Spanish mountains. 

 It is between two and three feet in height. The color, in summer, is I'cd- 

 dish-brown, turning to grayish in the winter. The horns are very large. 

 Altogether, the general appearance is pleasing. It is extremely watch- 

 ful, and difficult of approach on account of the delicacy of its senses of 

 smell and hearing. 



The Goat of Casidieee. Besides the true Cashmere breed, from which 

 the celebrated shawls are made, there are several others, whose fleeces have 

 been used for the same purpose. A traveller relates that in the kingdom 

 of Cashmere sixteen thousand looms are kept in constant motion, each 

 employing three men ; and it is supposed that thirty thousand shawds are 

 disposed of annually. The wool is spun by women, and afterwards colored. 

 When the shawl is made, it is carried to the custom-house and stamped, 

 and a duty paid in proportion to its texture and value. A fine shawl, with 

 a pattern all over it, takes nearly a year in making. 



The French have attempted to introduce this breed of goats into their 

 own country ; but the success of the experiment seems somewdiat doubtful. 

 It is, however, singular, as observed by ]\Iessrs. Cuvier and Hilaire, that 

 no European has yet availed himself of the wool produced by most of our 



