3S2 



ARGALr. 



teen pounds each. We are assured by Father 

 Rubruquis, a traveller in the thirteenth century, 

 that he had seen some of the horns so large that 

 he could hardly lift a pair with one hand, and 

 that the Tartars made great drinking- cups of 

 them. A more modern traveller has asserted, that 

 young foxes occasionally shelter themselves in 

 such as are here and there found in the deserts. 



The Argali is a very timid animal, and when 

 closely pursued, does not run in a directly pro- 

 gressive course, but obliquely, from side to side, 

 in the manner of other sheep, ascending the rocky 

 mountains with great agility, and, like the wild 

 goat, going over the narrowest and most dan- 

 gerous passes with perfect safety. The males are 

 said to fight frequently among themselves, and 

 will sometimes precipitate each other down the 

 rocks in their contests. Their chace is dangerous 

 and difficult, but is an important object with 

 some of the Asiatics, since the animal furnishes a 

 great number of necessary articles ; the skin being 

 used for cloathing, and the flesh for food. Dr. 

 Pallas informs us, that the flesh of the lamb is 

 excellent ; that of the old animals good ; but 

 more particularly when roasted. 



In Corsica the Argali is known by the name of 

 Miifro ; where it is so wild as to be rarely taken 

 alive, but is shot by the hunters, who lie in wait 

 for it among the mountains. When the young- 

 are taken, however, which is sometimes the case 

 when the parent is shot, they are observed to be 

 veiy readily tamed. The Corsican Argali or 



