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the species found there have shorter horns than those found on the 

 ranges immediately north of Cashmere Valley ; however, it is doubt- 

 ful if they differ in any other particular. A specimen of the Capra 

 sibirica from the Altai Mountains, seen in the Derby Museum, 

 Liverpool, appears to be identical with the Ladakh variety. 



On the high and rugged mountains northward of Cashmere, Ibex 

 are found in large herds, and to the adventurous hunter offer one of 

 the most pleasing, and at the same time exciting pastimes imaginable. 

 My first introduction to a herd of Ibex I take the liberty to transcribe. 

 " I had for days clambered over the dangerous rocks and snow- 

 drifts in anxious search of Ibex ; at last a herd was discovered feed- 

 ing undisturbed on a grassy slope under some craggy cliffs ; but as 

 there was no cover sufficient to permit a near approach, and one 

 fine male was standing boldly out on a pinnacle of rock over the spot 

 where the herd was feeding, I was obliged to fire at a long range ; 

 and before the echo of the shot was heard, all disappeared among 

 the rocks and crevices above ; but in less time than it takes me to 

 describe, every crag and peak seemed alive with Ibex gazing down- 

 wards in astonishment ; the large male, uppermost of all, standing 

 on the very brink of a precipice, seemed the sentry and leader ; all 

 appeared to be guided by his movements ; for as soon as he was 

 satisfied of his danger, his loud and shrill whistle resounded through 

 the glen, and, as if by magic, they disappeared among the shattered 

 rocks." During the winter they repair to sheltered and rocky situa- 

 tions, and feed on moss, lichens, bark of trees, and, I have been 

 credibly informed, eat earth at this season. When the snow melts 

 in spring, they move downwards, and feed on the scanty herbage 

 around its margin. A species of Nardus seems their favourite food 

 in summer. During winter they are thickly clad with peshmena 

 of a white colour, which, at a distance, gives the animal a piebald 

 appearance. The peshmena of the Ibex is softer and more valuable 

 than that of the Cashmere goat. During summer the under-wool 

 disappears, and the colour changes to a light brown, with a dark 

 line down the back. The horns of the male grow to a very large 

 size ; the largest I ever saw measured 48^ inches round the curve ; 

 their diameter and size, however, vary much : commonly they taper 

 to a point, and proceed upwards and backwards, with the tips in- 

 clining directly downwards ; some diverge a good deal, and termi- 

 nate abruptly, like many of the European specimens. 



The average length of a full-grown Cashmere Ibex's horns varies 

 from 28 to 40 inches round the curve. During summer the Ibex 

 ascend as the snow melts, so that by autumn they are only found on 

 the tops of the highest mountains. It is said the males fight during 

 the rutting-season. A native told me he saw two fighting on the 

 brink of a precipice in Kuloo ; one lost its footing, and fell, shattered 

 to pieces, hundreds of feet below. Many are yearly killed by falling 

 avalanches ; indeed some of the largest horns are found in snow- 

 drifts. It appears the female gestates nine months, and has some- 

 times two kids, although one is the usual number. The Ibex is the 

 most keen-sighted animal on the Western Himalayas. Native sports- 



