WILD SHEEP. 
31 
its attachment to the heights has obtained it the 
name of the Upper Rein Deer. 
There is a singular difference between this kind 
and the domestic sheep; the body of the argali 
being covered with hair instead of wool; which, un- 
der the throat, is considerably longer than on other 
parts. The length of the coat varies according to 
the season. In summer it is short and smooth, like 
that of a stag ; but in winter, when the severity of 
the weather calls for warmer clothing, the hair be- 
comes much thicker, and conceals a fine, white, 
woolly down. The horns of these animals grow to 
an amazing size, having been sometimes found to 
weigh fifteen pounds a-piece, and to measure two 
Russian yards in length. Father Rubruquis says 
that he has met with them too large to be lifted to- 
gether, with one hand, without great difficulty, and 
that large drinking-cups are made of them by the 
Tartars. 
These animals are generally found on the tops 
of craggy rocks, or near the summits of the highest 
mountains, where there is but little wood to in- 
tercept the rays of the sun. Here they collect in 
small flocks, and dwell together in apparent se- 
curity : but even on these almost inaccessible heights 
they are not left unmolested ; for the hardy in- 
habitants of the northern regions, whose ardour for 
the chase stimulates them to surmount every dif- 
ficulty, will frequently risk their lives in the pur- 
suit of them. The Ramtschatkans, indeed, have a 
very reasonable excuse to allege for the danger they 
