Class I. GOAT. 47 



females continually from place to place, and 

 fill the atmosphere around them with their 

 strong and ungrateful odor ; which, though as 

 disagreeeable as assa fcstida itself, may be 

 conducive to prevent many distempers, and to 

 cure nervous and hysterical ones. Horses are 

 imagined to be much refreshed with it ; on which 

 account many persons keep a he goat in their 

 studs or stables. 



Goats go with young four months and a half, 

 and bring forth from the latter end of Febru- 

 my to the latter end of April. Having only 

 two teats, they bear generally but two young, 

 sometimes three, and in good warm pas- 

 tures there have been instances, though rare, 

 of their bringing four at a time : both young 

 and old are affected by the weather : a rainy 

 season makes them thin ; a dry sunny one makes 

 them fat and blythe : their excessive venerv 

 prevents longevity, for they seldom live in our 

 climate above eleven or twelve years. 



These animals climb, with amazing swiftness 

 and safety, up the most rugged rocks, and 

 ascend the most dangerous places : they can 

 Stand unmoved on the highest precipices, and 

 so balance their centre of gravity, as to fix 

 themselves in such situations with security and 

 firmness ; so that we seldom hear of their. 



