7 o HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



The IBEX, 



if we believe M. Buffbn,, is the flock from whence our 

 domeftic Goat is defcended, being very fimilar to it in 

 the fhape of its body, but differing confiderably in the 

 fize of its horns, which are much larger: They are bent 

 backward, and full of knots ; and every year the creature 

 lives, it is aflerted, one is added to the number of them. 

 Some of thefe horns have been found at leaft two yards 

 long. — The head of the Ibex is fmall, adorned with a 

 dulky beard, and has a thick coat of hair of a deep- 

 brown colour, mixed with a(h: A ftreak of black runs 

 along the top of its back : Tfce belly and thighs are of a 

 delicate fawn colour. 



The Ibex inhabits- the higheft Alps of the Grifons* 

 country and the Vallais, and is alfo found in Crete. — 

 They are very wild, and difficult to be fliot ; and as they 



