368 MAMMALIA—IBEX. 
two slight differences, ihe 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 t. vhem with the chamois, as well as 
the inclination to climb up rocks; and still another custom, which is that 
of continually licking the stenes, 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. 
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The male ibex differs from 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 
smaller, 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 hounding from rock to rock; both are covered with a 
firm anda solid skin, and clothed, in winter, with a double fur, with very 
rough hair outwardly, and a finer and thicker hair underneath. Both of 
