THE GOAT. 197 



find that among the Southern rocks nearly every 

 herb and shrub has a markedly bitter or aromatic 

 character, partly induced, doubtless, by the abun- 

 dant sunshine, and partly as a defence from the 

 depredations of animal life. That the goat is 

 indifferent to some of the most deterrent flavours 

 is probably due to the fact that for many genera- 

 tions he has been obliged to exist upon highly- 

 spiced pabulum of this kind. 



One peculiarity about the goat I only ven- 

 ture to mention (not that he is reticent on the 

 subject himself), because it illustrates by what 

 diverse means nature attains like ends. Now 

 among animals and plants, as well as in the 

 commercial world, the business of life cannot 

 be done without advertisement. The wild ass 

 uses his sonorous voice in proclaiming his pres- 

 ence to all whom it may concern within the 

 radius of half a mile. Now the goat has a 

 comparatively feeble voice, and yet he also 

 has occasion to make himself known to any 

 friends or rivals who may be in his neigh- 

 bourhood. He does it silently — but in this 

 instance silence is wholly unconnected with 

 modesty. He so arranges matters as to make 

 it abundantly evident to the nostrils of every 



