S84 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



or precipice, particularly to leeward of their haunts. Oft 

 the approach of danger, or of a strange object, the shrill 

 signal is given and repeated by all ; the youngest trip off to 

 windward, while others in great agitation skip from rock 

 to rock to reconnoitre, until they are re-assured or move 

 off; but always, while choice is left them, in an ascent to- 

 wards the more inaccessible cliffs. If the hunter pursue 

 them until one is driven to some point from whence there is 

 no further retreat, it is said that it will pitch itself headlong 

 downward upon its foe and dash him into the abyss below. 

 Although the males emit even a stronger odour than the 

 he-goat, the venison is much esteemed. A carcass pro- 

 duces from ten to twelve pounds of suet, and the uses of 

 the skin for gloves and clothes is well known. 



The species is now much rarer than formerly in the Swiss 

 and Savoy Mountains, but the Tyrol still contains a consi- 

 derable number. In Carniola, the Carpathian and Grecian 

 Mountains, where they are named Carnusa, few remain. 

 Mr. Haller informed us that two distinct breeds, if not 

 varieties, reside on the Alps ; the larger, or Chamois of 

 the Woods, with long rough hair and delicate venison, and 

 the smaller, or Chamois of the Glaciers, with shorter hair, 

 also furnishing very palatable venison, provided it be 

 dressed very soon after the quarry is slain, for otherwise 

 it becomes very soon fetid and useless. Notwithstanding 

 its averseness to quit the wildest mountain scenery, the 

 Chamois is said to mix sometimes with cattle and goats ; 

 and it certainly can be partially tamed. In that state it 

 evinces all the mixture qf impudence, timidity, and curi- 

 osity observed in goats. One kept in an enclosure, shewed 

 at first great signs of shyness to us, but was so soon recon- 

 ciled that in a short time it came behind us to look erect 

 over our shoulders on the paper, steal the drawing imple- 

 ments from a chair, and if looked at, to bound away 

 for a few yards and return again ; when forced in a cor- 



