THE bOA.T. 



on account of its length. In the present times, however, goat's 

 hair for wigs is at a discount in the market, being demanded 

 only"hychnrch dignitaries and gentlemen practising the law. The 

 skin of the goat, especially of the young goat, is invaluable to 

 the glove-makers and to ike preparers of morocco leather ; its 

 bones pass into the hands of the turner and are converted into 

 knife-handles, &c. While it lives its milk is valuable for its 

 nutritive qualities, and when it is killed its flesh is not to be 

 despised. At least, so thought our ancestors, as the testimony 

 of Pennant proves : " The haunches of the goat are frequently 

 salted and dried, and supply all the uses of bacon. The meat 

 of a goat sis or seven years old is reckoned the best ; being 

 generally very sweet and fat. This, which makes an excellent 

 pasty, goes under the name of rock venison, and is little inferior 

 to that of the deer." 



Buffon speaks in high terms of the goat. It is, according 

 to that honest naturalist, superior to the sheep both in senti- 

 ment and dexterity. He approaches man spontaneously and 

 is easily domesticated. He is sensible of caresses and capable 

 of a considerable degree of attachment. He is robust and easily 

 nourished, for he eats almost every herb and is injured by very 

 few. Unlike the sheep, the goat fears not a great degree of heat, 

 and wfll lie down to sleep iu the sun's fiercest rays without dis- 

 comfort. He is not afraid of rain or storms, but he appears to 

 feel the effect of severe cold. The inconstancy of his disposi- 

 tion is shown by the irregularity of his actions. He walks, 

 stops short, runs, leaps, approaches or retires, shows or con- 

 ceals himself, or flies off as if actuated by mere caprice, and 

 without any other cause than what arises from an eccentric 

 vivacity of temper. 



That the goat " fears not a great degree of heat," however, 

 does not fully describe a speciality of the goat. It is the only 

 one among quadrupeds who evinces no concern at the sight of 

 flames. If urged it will approach a burning building and will 

 not fliuch tin hurt by the heat. This peculiarity no doubt 

 makes it a useful adjunct to the stable. Should the place 

 catch fire and the lives of the horses be jeopardized, they may 

 often be made to rouse from their panic-stricken state and to 

 quit the burning building in an orderly manner at sight of their 

 stable companion, the goat, marching on before as unconsciously 

 as though nothing was the matter. By the bye, it may not be 

 amiss here to quote a little sentence on the subject of fire in the 

 stable, written by a cunning hand. " Under such circumstances 



