The ANGORA GOAT.
This animal affords the moſt ſtriking example of the influence of climate upon the clothing or fur of Goats and Sheep. When transferred from a cold or temperate country to a hotter one, the fine wool of the ſheep degenerates to a coarſe hair; and a few miles of country ſurrounding Angora in Aſiatic Turkey, produces this very extraordinary variation from the common appearance of Goats. The climate of theſe countries, and Syria in particular, impart to all the quadrupeds, a ſplendour and fineneſs of fur, which is not to be equalled in any other part of the world.
The horns of the Natolian or Angora Goat are of great length in the male, and lie in an horizontal poſition, twiſted like a cork-ſcrew; to the female the horns are very different, the form nearly a complete circle round the ear.
The hair of the Angora Goat exceeds in beauty that of every other animal; the ſilvery locks formed by Nature’s careleſs, though graceful hand, flow in ringlets of about nine inches long, with a ſilky fineneſs, and reſplendent whiteneſs.
The hair of this Goat, for its beauty and fineneſs, is bought by all nations, and is the baſis of our beſt camblet ſtuffs; it is alſo wrought into the uſeful article called mohair. Mr. Pennant reports, the hair is imported in the form of thread, as the Turks will not allow it to be exported raw, as the ſpinning gives employ to a multitude of poor. Much pains is taken by the owner of the flocks, in keeping the animals clean, and often combing them. Of late, ladies muffs in England have been frequently made of the hair of this animal, the delicacy and graceful form of which produces a pleaſing and agreeable effect.
The one this drawing was made from was conſiderably larger than our Goats; the meaſurements were three feet ſix inches from the noſe to the rump, and two feet two inches from the ſhoulder downward.
