The Spanish Ibex 143 
Length along front curves . 213 inches 
Circumference at base 74 
Widest span 162 
Tip to tip 17 
Our informant has reason to believe that ibex also exist (or 
existed within recent years) in the rugged mountains of Tortosa, 
farther east in Catalonia. 
In the form of its horns the Spanish ibex differs essentially 
from the typical ibex of the Alps—now, alas, exterminated save 
only in the King of Italy’s preserved ranges around the Val d’ Aosta. 
In the true ibex the horns bend regularly backwards and down- 
wards in a uniform, scimitar-like curve. In the Spanish species, 
after first diverging laterally, the horns are recurved both inward 
and finally upward. That is, in the first case they follow a 
simple semicircular bend, while in the Spanish goats they form 
almost a spiral. 
A minor point of difference lies in the annular rings or notches 
which in the true ibex are rectangular, encircling the horn in front 
like steps in a ladder, while in Capra hispdnica they rather run 
obliquely in semi-spiral ascent. These annulations indicate the 
age of the animal—one notch to each year—but the count must 
stop where the spiral ends. Beyond that is the lightly grooved 
tip, which does not alter. 
The horns of old rams (which are often broken or worn down 
at the tips) average 26 to 28 inches, specially fine examples 
reaching 29 inches or more. The females likewise carry horns, 
but short and slender, only measuring 6 or 7 inches. 
The six isolated colonies of ibex, separated from each other 
during ages, live under totally different natural conditions. For 
while some, as stated, exist at 8000, 10,000, or 12,000 feet 
altitude, others occupy hills of much more moderate elevations 
—say 4000 to 6000 feet, some of which are bush-clad to 
their summits. Under such circumstances there have naturally 
developed divergencies not only in habits, but in form and size. 
Particularly does this apply to the horns, and for that reason 
we give a series of photos of typical examples from various 
points. 
The ibex of the Pyrenees is certainly the largest race, and 
has been entitled by scientists Cupra pyrenaica ; those of the 
centre and south of Spain being differentiated as C. hispdnica. 
