THE COMMON GOAT. 
121 
of the wild animals. The common Goat, wliich is 
Well known in the north of Scotland, and the most al- 
pine counties of England and Wales, closely resembles 
the wild .Sgagrus, and in some parts of the High- 
lands has become nearly naturalised, and scarcely to 
he approached except by stealth, or procured except 
hy the assistance of the gun. We recollect once 
having a flock of this description pointed out to us 
On the precipitous side of Ben Nevis, and of endea- 
■'■ouring to get a shot in vain ; their activity among 
the rocks surpassed any thing we could have imagined 
from description, and they had passed the rocky val- 
ley long before we had reached the station pointed 
out for an ambuscade. The goat is kept on account 
of its milk and the flesh of its young, the former be- 
ing often in request as a medicine for persons of weak 
constitution or threatened with pulmonary complaints. 
They are frequently also kept about stable-yards as 
pets, where they become remarkably tame and at- 
tached, throwing off all the shyness and timidity 
which they exhibit naturally, and are ever prying 
^nd inquisitive. They are favourites with us ; and 
old he-goat, with full grown horns and an ample 
heard, always conveys an idea of something highly 
picturesque. A Welsh breed, generally of a white 
Colour, is remarkable for its long hair and very large 
horns, which are sometimes three feet in length. In 
Holland, they are used in very pretty equipages for 
children, and we have seen two and sometimes four 
amessed to a child’s car, obeying the rein, and ap- 
VOL. IV. vr 
