Wild Goat of Afghanistan. 529 



Europe,"* that the animal alluded to, was a cross-breed 

 between the domestic goat and the Ibex (C. Ibex,) and it is 

 at all events shewn to be distinct from the Asiatic JEgagrus, 

 by its having " the face covered with long and thick silky 

 but loose hair, extremely soft ;f whereas in the species un- 

 der consideration, the hair of the face is uniformly short and 

 close lying ; nor does the specimen in the Paris Menagerie 

 at all correspond in colouring, with the Asiatic form ; no 

 mention being made of the dark dorsal stripe, medial line, 

 black face, neck, chest or shoulders, nor of the markings of 

 the legs, or colour of the beard. 



The present species is rendered interesting from its being 

 now the prevalent opinion among naturalists, that from it 

 have been derived our domestic breeds. The question not- 

 withstanding is far from being decided, and a few remarks 

 on the subject may therefore be considered not unworthy of 

 attention. 



If the iEgagrus be the stock from which our domestic 

 goats have sprung, it should follow, that the differences 

 which they now exhibit in general appearances, have been 

 induced by domestication ; and it is asserted, that the two 

 breeds should be capable not only of freely producing off- 

 spring together, but that such offspring should likewise be 

 capable of breeding inter se ; yet on this point there seems 

 to hang something more than a doubt, for the offspring of 

 the goats, which were formerly in the Paris Menagerie, 

 " were either prematurely brought forth, or lived only a 

 short time, in a sick or languishing condition. "J On this 

 subject I can fortunately likewise produce some additional 

 testimony, which will go far to shew, that the two breeds are 

 distinct species. 



* Bell's British Quadrupeds, 

 f Naturalist's Library. 



X Bell's British Quadrupeds. 



W 



