THE IBEX. 39 
its general habits and manners the ibex 
^^sembles the common goat, but it possesses 
attribute of strength and activity in a 
Sree proportioned to its natural state of 
J^ildness. It delights to climb mountains, and 
0 hang upon the brink of precipices. It is 
®^id that if there be any inequalities in which 
set its feet, it will mount an almost 
P^i’pendicular rock of fifteen feet at three 
or rather at three successive bounds of 
® feet each. Without finding to appear- 
^^ee any footing on the rock, it seems to 
^eh it merely to be repelled, like an elastic 
striking a hard body. 
he chase of the ibex among the snowy 
^^untains of Savoy and Switzerland, where 
tP it has become more rare than in 
® Tyrol, affords an object of hazardous but 
*^®®t infatuating excitement to the hardy 
Mountaineers of those countries. Like the cha- 
Mois, the stronger ibex is fond of the wildest 
