COMMON GOAT. 



373 



small-horned ; the horns of the Cambrian Goat, 

 on the contrary, have been seen three feet two 

 inches long, and three feet from tip to tip. The 

 flesh is of great use to the inhabitants of that 

 country, and affords them a cheap and plentiful 

 provision in the winter months, when the kids are 

 brought to market : the haunches are often dried 

 and salted, and used as a substitute for bacon *. 

 The skin of the goat is peculiarly well adapted for 

 the glove manufactury, especially that of the 

 kid ; and as it takes a dye better than any other 

 skin, it was formerly much used for hangings in 

 the houses of people of fortune ; being susceptible 

 of the richest colours, and when flowered and or- 

 namented with gold and silver, became an elegant 

 and superb furniture. 



The smell of the Goat is proverbially unpleas- 

 ing. During the months of September and Octo- 

 ber the whole atmosphere around them is, ac- 

 cording to Mr. Pennant, filled with the ungrateful 

 odor, which, though as strong as asajcetida itself, 

 may perhaps be conducive to the prevention of 

 many distempers, and to cure nervous and hyste- 

 rical ones Horses are supposed to be much re- 

 freshed with it ; on which account many persons 

 keep a he-goat in their studs or stables. The 

 Goat goes with young four months and a half, 

 and brings forth from the latter end of February 

 to the latter end of April ; having only two young, 

 or sometimes three. 



* Penn. Brit. Zool. 

 v. II. P. II. 



t Brit. Zool 

 25 



