JOURNAL. 
^clly and roiincl the rump, wliere they are white. 
The horns of the male are very large ; those of the 
female small. They have a fine soft hair. Captaia 
Clarke calls them the Ibex, and says they resemble 
that animal more than any other. They are in siz« 
somewhat Jarger than a deer. The hills here are 
very high and steep One of our men in an attempt 
to climb one had his s^houlder dislocated ; it was 
however, replaced without much difficulty. These 
hills are very much washed in general : they appeaF 
like great heaps of clay, washing aw^ay with, every 
shower ; with scarcely any herbs or grass on any of 
them. This evetiing we passed an island all prairie 
except a few trees on the upper end of it. We went 
,18 miles and encamped on the South side^ 
Simciay 26th. We set out early in a fine mornings 
?ind passed through a desert country ; in which there 
is no timber on any part, except a few scattered pines 
©n the hills. We saw few animals of any kind, but 
the Ibex or mountain sheep. One of our men kil- 
led a male, which had horns two feet long and four 
inches diameter at the root.* We passed two creek* 
* " The Ibex resembles the goat in the shape of it sbody | 
feiit differs in the horns ^yhich are much larger They ar© 
bent back\\^ards, full of knots ; and it is generally asserted 
that there is a knot added every year. There are some of 
these found If we may believe Bellonius, at least two yards 
long. The Ibex has a large black beard, is of a brown colour, 
with a thick woven coat of hair. There is a streak of black 
runs along the top of the back ; and the belly and back of 
"Ihe thighs are of a fawn colour. It is a native of the Alps, 
the Pyrenees, and mountains of Gi-eece ; extremely swift 
smd capable of running with ease along- the edges of p';eci- 
picesj Avhere even the Wolf or the Fox, thougli instigated 
t>y hunger, dares not pursue it.'* 
^ CoJilsruiih', 
Such is the description ariven of the Ibex ; b'lt whfch 
lis does not appear to suit the an!m:il Tound about Ih© 
ftoeky moAintaias called tlie m )uutain Ram. Frora \sb^t 
H % 
