THE ANGORA GOAT. 163 
for about a distance of 30 miles round Angora. The 
annual export of mohair from the district is estimated at 
500,000 okes, equal to 1,254,400 lbs. If we estimate 
the annual fleece of each animal at 31bs., it would show 
that there are about 400,000 of this breed of goats in 
that district. Of these, some flocks are said to excel 
even those of Angora. Goats with fleeces of the highest 
lustre are found at Castambul, those of Angora being 
only second in quality, and those of Beibayer third, the 
breed being nearly the same in all the three places 
mentioned. 
The climate of this district, which lies nearly 2000 
feet above the sea, is peculiarly favourable to the 
growth of long silky hair, so much so, that greyhounds 
and even cats found there are said to have remarkably 
long silky coats. 
The colour of the Angora goat is invariably pure 
white, and its long silky fleece, which hangs in curly 
locks, grows with wonderful rapidity, it being no 
uncommon thing in the best specimens for the full 
fleece to hang so low as to touch the ground. I have 
before me some specimens of hair of about six months 
growth, produced in the Wimmera district, and which 
measure 6J to 8 inches in length. 
The produce of some of the superior flocks was so 
highly valued at one time, that its exportation was a 
capital offence, it being preserved for the manufacture 
of fabrics for the seraglio of the Grand Signor. The 
common kind is used in the manufacture of camlets in 
the Levant, and a large quantity is exported in the 
form of thread, and sent in caravans to Smyrna, to be 
shipped to Europe. A prohibition formerly existed 
against the export of the hair in a raw state, probably 
