RUMINANT QUADRUPEDS. 95 
CHAPTER. X. 
RUMINANT QUADRUPEDS—continued. 
[ 162. Tue different species of the Ovid, or Sheep 
family, have many varieties, from the influence of domes- 
tication. The Sheep is the first animal noticed in the 
Bible as subjected to man, for ‘ Abel was a keeper of 
sheep.” The tail of the Sheep seems to be much affected 
by domestication, it being much larger in the domesti- 
cated than in those that run wild. In the Egyptian and 
Syrian Sheep it often becomes enormous, reaching a 
weight of 50 or even 100 pounds, in which case a board 
or a little wagon is attached to it, to prevent it from 
dragging on the ground. This overgrown tail is mostly 
a mass of fat, which is considered a great delicacy, and 
is frequently used as butter. 
163. The Capridz, or Goat family, are nearly allied to 
the Sheep. They are, however, stronger, lighter, more 
agile, and less timid. They appear in almost all parts 
of the world. In some countries they are greatly valued | 
for their milk. The best Morocco leather is made from 
their skins, and the skin of the kid is much used in mak- 
ing fine gloves. The silken wool of the Angora Goat of 
Asia Minor hangs in long ringlets, furnishing the ma- 
terial for the finest camlets. From the wool of the Cash- 
mere Goat of Thibet and the region of the Himalaya 
Mountains, are manufactured the famous Cashmere 
shawls. The Caucasian Ibex, Fig. 80 (p. 96), which in- 
habits the Alpine regions of Europe and Western Asia, 
is remarkable for its large and beautiful horns. They 
are surrounded with rings at regular intervals, and are 
very strong. When chased, it will frequently turn on 
its pursuer, and with its horns, hurl him from some 
