. The popular natural history . Zoology. 172 THE CHAMOIS. comprehended from the illustration. The height of the Oryx is rather more than three feet six inches, and the long curved horns are upwards of three feet in length. These horns are set closely together upon the head, from whence they diverge gradually to their extremities. These weapons are covered with rings at their bases, but at their tips they are smooth and exceedingly sharp. Their colour is black. Goat-like in aspect, and very hircine in many of its habits, the Chamois is often supposed to belong to the goats rather than to the An
. The popular natural history . Zoology. 172 THE CHAMOIS. comprehended from the illustration. The height of the Oryx is rather more than three feet six inches, and the long curved horns are upwards of three feet in length. These horns are set closely together upon the head, from whence they diverge gradually to their extremities. These weapons are covered with rings at their bases, but at their tips they are smooth and exceedingly sharp. Their colour is black. Goat-like in aspect, and very hircine in many of its habits, the Chamois is often supposed to belong to the goats rather than to the Antelopes. It is, however, a true Antelope, and may be readily distinguished from any of its relations by the peculiar form of the horns, which rise straight from the top of the head for some inches, and then suddenly curve backwards, so as to form a pair of sharp hooks. In descending a precipitous rock, the Chamois is greatly aided by the false hoofs of the hinder feet, which it hitches upon. CRtMO\%.—{Rupicafra Tragus.) every little irregularity in the stony surface, and which seem to retard its progress as it slides downwards, guided by the sharp hoofs of the fore-feet, which are placed closely together, and pushed well in advance of the body. Thus flattened against the rock, the Chamois slides downwards until it comes to a ledge broad enough to permit it to repose itself for a while before descending further. In this manner the active creature will not hesitate to descend some twenty or thirty yards along the face of an almost per- pendicular cliff, being sure to make good its footing on the first broad ledge that may present itself. The Chamois is one of the most wary of Antelopes, and possesses the power of scenting mankind at an almost incredible distance. Even the old and half-obliterated footmarks which a man has made in the snow are sufficient to startle the sensitive feai=; nf this animal, which has been. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
