368 



MAMMALIA— IBEX. 



two slight differences, the one externally, and the other internally. The 

 horns of the ibex are longer than those of the he-goat ; they have two longi- 

 tudinal ridges, those of the goat have but one. They have also thick knots, 

 or transverse tubercles, which mark the number of years of their growth ; 

 while those of the goats are only marked with transverse strokes. The 

 ibex runs as fast as the stag, and leaps lighter than the roebuck. They are 

 liable to vertigos, which are common to them with the chamois, as well as 

 the inclination to climb up rocks ; and still another custom, which is that 

 of continually licking the stones, especially those which are strongly im- 

 pregnated with salt-petre, or common salt. In the Alps, there are rocks 

 which have been hollowed by the tongue of the chamois. These are com- 

 monly soft and calcinable stones, in which, as is well known, there is 

 always a certain quantity of nitre. 



The male ibex differs froin the chamois, by the length, the thickness, and 

 the form of the horns ; it is also much more bulky, vigorous, and strong. 

 The female ibex has horns different from the male ; they are also much 

 stnaller, and nearly resembling those of the chamois. In other respects, 

 these two animals have the same customs, the same manners, and the same 

 country ; only the ibex, as he is endowed with more agility, and is stronger 

 than the chamois, climbs to the summit of the highest mountains, while 

 the chamois only lives in the second stage ; but neither the one nor the 

 other is to be found in the plains. Both make their way on the snow; both 

 ascend precipices by bounding from rock to rock ; both are covered with a 

 firm and a solid skin, and clothed, in winter, with a double fur, with very 

 rough hair outwardly, and a finer and thicker hair underneath. Both of 



