ARGALI. 
289 
and discharged by their treading on a string which 
pulls the fatal trigger. They are sometimes cha~ 
sed by dogs,, but their fleetness in a moment leaves' 
these far in the rear. The purpose, however, is 
answered ; they are driven to the heights, where 
they often stand and view, as it were with con- 
tempt, the dogs below ; while their attention is 
thus occupied, the hunter creeps cautiously 
within reach, and brings them down with his 
gun. 
In some of the other northern countries, a great 
multitude of horses and dogs are collected together, 
and a sudden attempt is made to surround them. 
Great cation is necessary ; for if the animals per- 
ceive the approach of their enemies, either by 
their sight or smell, they instantly take to flight, 
and secure themselves among the lofty and inac- 
cessible summits of the mountains* 
The Kamtschadales do not shear these sheep, 
but leave the wool on till the end of May, when 
it becomes loose, and is stripped entirely off in 
one fleece.— The dried flesh is in Kamtschatka an 
article of commerce. 
Father Rubruquis, who visited the nations of 
Tartary as ambassador from St. Lewis of France, 
in the relation of his travels mentions this animal 
under the name of artack, and tells us that he 
could scarce lift a pair of its horns with one 
hand. 
This animal is ascribed by the ancients to Spain 
Sardinia, and Corsica, and still exists in Sardinia 
and Corsica. Several pairs have been imported 
from these islands into Britain. 
General Paoli, who, after making a brave, but 
ineffectual effort to vindicate and establish the 
liberties of his country, found an honourable asy- 
lum in Britain, imported from Corsica, a male 
of this kind named Martino. Martino died at 
VOL. ii* p p 
