1847.] On the tame Sheep, fyc. of Tibet. 1017 



sheep-proper, by the obliquity of their insertion on the top of the head, 

 their less volume, greater compression, less angularity, and, above all, 

 bv the keeled character of their sharp anteal edge. The tail of the 

 goats is shorter and natter than in the sheep ; their chest or knees 

 frequently bare and callous ; and their hairy pelage apt to be of great 

 and unequal lengths. 



It must be remembered that the so-called wild goats of the Hima- 

 laya (Jharal or Tehr) are not goats at all ; for they have four teats, 

 a moist muzzle, and no interdigital pores or feet pits. Having premised 

 this caution and solicited attention to the above essential and subordi- 

 nate characters of the goats, I proceed to describe the several tame 

 species of Tibet and of the sub-Himalayas. 



1 . Capra Changra. — The Changra. This is the common domestic goat 

 of Tibet, a breed of moderate size, distinguished by the uniform abun- 

 dance of its long flowing straight hair, which descends below the knees, 

 and hocks, and covers pretty uniformly the whole animal. Even the legs 

 are abundantly provided with hair, though, of course, it is shorter 

 there than on the body, whilst the head, with its ample forelock and 

 beard, worthy of the Shah of the Persia, shows the same tendency to 

 copious development of pelage in this animal, which has likewise a 

 spare sub-fleece of exceedingly fine wool. Length from snout to 

 vent about 4 feet. Mean height 2 feet. Head to occiput, by the 

 curve, 11 to 12 inches, straight 9 to 10 inches. Ears 5 to 6 inches. 

 Tail only, \\ to 4f . Tail and hair, 9 to 10 inches. Girth behind 

 the shoulder, 2\ to 2J feet. Horns along the curve, 1^ to \\ feet. 

 Basal girth of horns, 6 to 7 inches. The Changra has all the indepen- 

 dence of physiognomy and boldness of carriage ; but not, perhaps, all 

 the hardihood of the constitution, which BiuTon has attributed to the 

 whole race of goats. He is wanton, capricious, restless, impatient 

 of strict restraint, and of docility far inferior to that of the sheep, 

 though better able to endure change of climate, his gay roving eye 

 bespeaking his mercurial temperament, and any attempt to handle 

 him demonstrating his impatience of all but lax control. Ordinarily 

 he is tractable enough ; but he will not submit, like his countryman 

 the Hunia, to carry burdens ; and he may be bred and herded with 

 facility ; but he requires a large range and liberty to please himself 

 whilst grazing. 



