56o DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSEUM. 



Observation having proved, that under certain 

 circumstances animals, especially goats, loose a 

 great part of their hair, and that the wool un- 

 derneath is then developed in greater quantity, 

 choice was made of a couple most abundantly 

 furnished with wool, and from them a new 

 domestic breed was obtained, covered with a 

 down very similar to that of the goat of Cash- 

 mere. It is easy to conceive the advantages to 

 our manufactures that might be derived from 

 their multiplication. 



We next arrive at an enclosure which ex- 

 tends nearly as far as the aviary; it is divided 

 into five compartments, in the middle of which 

 stands a large circular fabrick, having its roof 

 thatched with reeds, which serves as a stable. 

 In the first compartment is a basin where all the 

 smaller species of aquatic birds are assembled; 

 here are also differen t species of tortoises, which 

 either remain in the water or creep about on 

 the grass. The second, third, and fourth com- 

 partments are occupied by a great number of 

 long-legged birds and gallinaceous fowls. We 

 shall particularly notice amongst them the Euro- 

 pean crane, the carunculatcd crane from the 

 Cape, presented by M.Taunay, the crowned crane, 

 and the mycteria argala, a species of stork, the 

 feathers of which are in great request for ladies' 



