THE MARKHORE. 
Capra megaceros. 
Plate XX. 
The Markhore is, as we are told by Captain Hutton, its first describer under the name Capra megaceros, ail 
inhabitant of the mountain districts of Affghanistan, especially of the lofty crags of the Sooliman and 
adjoining ranges. Northwards, towards Cabul, it chooses the most inaccessible crags for its retreat, and is 
remarkable even among its agile brethren of the same genus for its extraordinary strength and activity. 
A very similar species, from Cashmere, was first obtained by Baron Von Hiigel during his researches in that 
country, and was described by Professor Wagner, in 1839, as Capra falconeri; but as there is some little doubt 
as to whether the Cashmere Goat is the same as the Punjab animal, it is preferable to retain for the 
latter the name which Captain Hutton has bestowed upon it. 
The specimen of this fine animal now figured, which is believed to be the first example ever seen alive in 
Kurope, was received in 1856, having been brought home from India and liberally presented to the Menagerie, 
by Colonel Samuel Brown, of the 2nd Punjab Cavalry. 
During this animal’s existence in the Society’s Menagerie, he bred several times with Goats of different 
varieties, and produced some very fine hybrids. Since his death in 1865 his place has been filled by a pair of 
the same species, presented to the Society by Major F. R. Pollock, Commissioner at Dera Ismail Khan. 
The Markhore has been considex-ed by some authors as simply a variety of the Domestic Goat, but its 
claims to be recognized as a good and very distinct species are now generally admitted, though there is still 
much confusion prevailing among the different species of Wild Goats. 
Captain Hutton gives us the following account of the origin of the name of Markhore:— 
“ The name of ‘ Markhore ’ or ‘ Snake-eatei',’ is given to the animal by the Affghans, from an idea that 
it has an instinctive feeling which pi-ompts it to seek for and devour snakes. Hence it is believed also, that 
if a man be bitten by a snake, the wound may speedily be healed, and the poison neutralised, by eating of 
the fiesh of the Markhore. The hunters also declare that the fat of the stomach is so excessively nuti'itious, 
that it enables them to pursue the chase with greater vigour than any other food, and even after one meal of 
it, to endure a fast for several days.” 
