Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/412

lfc»] G OA incr. Others observe, th3t female gnats only extract the blood by suction. Ast bowe»er, these stings p.re orenerally attended with a pain- ful swelling, different remedies have been suggested for its renicH •val : one of the most effectual con* sjstsof small, but equal portion;-, of Venice turpentine and sweet oil j they should be mixed and applied to the wounded part, which will •be effect ually relieved in the space of six hours. Indeed, olive oil alone, or unsalted butter, or fresh hog's-lard, if timely rubbed on the sting, will be equally efficacious. But we cannot approve of any mer- curial solutions, that have occasi- onally been advised in popular books, for the more speedy cure of this trifling affection. GOAT, or Copra, L. a genus of animals, comprising more than 30 'Species, only one of which is reared in this country, namely, the Hircus, or Common Goat, a native of Mount Caucasus, in Asia, whence it has ben dispersed through Europe. This species has arched and keeled horns, with a long beard, and is peculiarly attached to the < impany of man, even in its wild state. The females generally bring ••forth one or two, and very seldom three kids, after a gestation of -about live months ; they attain an age of tweh e years. Coats are sensible of caresses, and display a remarkable attach- ment to their friends. They are stronger < more nimble, and less timid than sh< ep ; possess a lively, capricious and wandering disposi- tion j and delight in elevated and solitary places, frequently sleeping on the points of rocks and preci- ■ pices. — '1 1 ese animals are moat easily Blip] ofted t art any others of the sama >vic j for there arc few GO A herbs which they will not relish.--* Nor are they liable to so many dis- orders as sheep ; and. though able fo support the vicissitudes of heat and cold more easily than die lat- ter, yet they are very susceptible of severe frosts, which they endure with less difficulty in the society of other animals. Goats emit, at all times, a strong and disagreeable odour, which however is not without its use : for, if one of these animals be kept in a stable, it is affirmed that it will be an effectual preventive of the staggers, a disorder which is often very fatal to horses. This influence of the goat is not, as Mr. Marshall judiciously ob- serves, in his " Rural Economy of Gloucestershire ," merely that of a charm ; for the staggers are evi- dently a nervous disorder. Odours, in many cases, operate beneficially on the human nerves, and proba- bly the strong scent of tire goat has a similar effect on those of the horse ; a copied ure which is partly corroborated by the practice adopted in Northumberland, where a few goats are generally mixed with the sheep, for the preservation of the health of the flock. It is also well known, that the former with safety < at plants, which would be de- structive to sheep and other ani- mals. Hence, goats devour the leaves of Hemlox k with impunity ; but the Spotti d Snakeweed, Poly- gonum Persicaria, as well as the liases and fruit of the Common Spindle-tree, Evonymus Europucus, L. are to them not less fatal than to other quadrupeds. Although the food of goats is attended With little c pence, as they maintain themselves on the most barren mountains, vet their produce is of considerable value. Thflf