WILD SHEEP AND GOATS 235 



the mountain ranges of the Indian North- West, the Pir Panjal to 

 the south of Kashmir, and the Baltistan, Astor and Gilgit ranges 

 to the north, as well as in many of the Afghanistan hills, including 

 the Sulaiman range, where the poorest specimens, of comparatively 

 small size, with straight screw horns are found, the splendid open 

 spiralled specimens attaining their fullest development .in the Astor 

 and Baltistan ranges." There are at least four distinct varieties of 

 this noble beast found inhabiting different localities, and these not 

 only vary in size and in the character of the horns, but also in habits. 

 One kind, for example, tenants high forest mountains near the 

 snow, whilst another makes its home amid barren and rocky hills 

 at a very much lower elevation. 



The males and females usually keep in distinct flocks, and 

 whilst comment has already been made as to the prowess and en- 

 durance that is necessary to successfully stalk the Chamois, in the 

 Himalayas, we are told, there is hardly another animal "whose 

 pursuit habitually entails so much difficult climbing " as the Mark- 

 hor. It haunts environments where man dare not venture to tread, 

 even if he could, and has the habit of keeping to the rocky forests 

 which afford it concealment. It rarely comes out into open ground, 

 but when a male is observed his massive form and noble bearing 

 make a strong appeal to the sportsman who is fortunate enough to 

 see him in his native wilds. 



In spite of some varieties inhabiting high snow-clad mountains, 

 the Markhor is very sensitive to the cold, and in Winter, although 

 having a longer coat to withstand the change of temperature, has 

 no under-fur like the Chamois, and invariably descends to protected 

 areas. 



Not only is this one of the most remarkable animals now living, 

 but it possesses an ancient pedigree which stamps it as "one of the 

 oldest types of Wild Goat, since a fossil species which cannot at 

 present be satisfactorily distinguished from the living one, occurs 

 in the Pliocene rocks of the Siwalik hills at the foot of the Hima- 

 laya." 



The name of Markhor — or Snake-Eater — has resulted from the 

 reports of natives as to its being fond of eating snakes, but this 

 lacks authenticity and must be accepted with great reserve. 



It may here be stated that naturalists seem to agree that the 

 ancestor of the Domestic Goat is the Persian Ibex. It is very like 

 the tame animal known to every one; it is light-brown during the 



