or GOAT, a genus of quadrupeds belonging to the order of pecora. The horns are hollow, turned upwards, erect, and scabrous. There are eight fore teeth in the under jaw, and none in the upper; and they have no dog-teeth. This genus consists of twelve species, viz.

1. The hircus, or common goat, with arched carinated horns, and a long beard. The goat of Angora is only a variety of this species; its hair is white, and hangs down to the feet; and the ears are plain and pendent. The common goat is a native of the eastern mountains. See Plate LXIII.

The goat is an animal of more sagacity than the sheep. Instead of having an antipathy at mankind, they voluntarily mingle with them, and are easily tamed. Even in uninhabited countries, they betray no savage dispositions. In the year 1698, an English vessel having put into the island of Bonovista, two negroes came aboard, and offered gratis to the captain as many goats as he pleased. The captain expressed his astonishment at this offer. But the negroes replied, that there were only twelve persons in the island; that the goats had multiplied to such a degree, that they were become extremely troublesome; and that, instead of having any difficulty in catching them, they followed the men wherever they went, and were so obstinately officious, that they could not get quit of them upon any account whatever.

Goats are sensible of cares, and capable of a considerable degree of friendship. They are stronger, more agile, and less timid than sheep. They have a lively, capricious, and wandering disposition; are fond of high and solitary places; and frequently sleep upon the very points of rocks. They are more easily supported than any other animal of the same size; for there is hardly an herb or the bark of a tree, which they will not eat with pleasure. Neither are they liable to so many diseases as sheep: They can bear heat and cold with less inconvenience. The actions and movements of animals depend more upon the force and variety of their sensations, than the structure of their bodies: The natural inconstancy or fancifulness of goats is accordingly expressed by the irregularity of their actions: They walk, stop short, run, jump, shew, and hide themselves, as it were by mere caprice, and without any other cause than what arises from the natural vivacity of their temper.

The buck will copulate when he is a year old, and the female when she is seven months. But as this is rather premature, they are generally restrained till they be eighteen months or two years. The buck is bald, beautiful, and vigorous; one is sufficient to serve 150 females. A buck for propagation should be large, handsome, and about two years of age; his neck should be short, and fleety; his head slender; his ears pendent; his thighs thick; his limbs firm; his hair black, thick, and soft; and his beard should be long, and bushy. The females are generally in season from September to the end of November. The time of going with young is five months. They generally produce one kid, sometimes two, seldom three, and never more than four; and continue fruitful till they be seven years of age: But a buck is seldom kept after he is five.

Goat's flesh is not so good as mutton: The rank smell of the buck does not proceed from the flesh, but from the skin.

The food of this animal costs next to nothing, as it lives mostly upon such plants as are rejected by other cattle, and can support itself even upon the most barren mountains. But their produce is valuable. Cheese is made of their milk, which besides is reckoned good in consumptions, and other diseases. Their flesh, tallow, hair, and hides, are all useful and saleable commodities.

2. The ibex, has large knotty horns reclined upon its back, is of a yellowish colour, and its beard is black. This species is a native of Crete; and is likewise to be met with in the mountains of some of the northern parts of Europe. 3. The mambrica, with reclined horns, about the length of the neck, pendent ears, and a beard. It is a native of India.

4. The rupicapra, or shamoy-goat, has erect and hooked horns. It inhabits the inaccessible mountains of Switzerland. The body is of a dusky red colour; but the front, top of the head, gullet, and inside of the ears are white; the under part of the tail is blackish; and the upper lip is a little divided. They seldom descend from the mountains but in hard winters, when they come down to feed upon the branches and barks of fir-trees, &c. On occasions of this kind, one of the herd always keeps watch to give notice to the rest of any approaching danger.

5. The depressa, is an American goat, with small depressed horns, bent inwards and lying upon the head. It is about the size of a kid; and the hair is long and pendulous.

6. The reverfa, is likewise an American goat, with erect horns curved back at the points. It is about the size of a kid of a year old.

7. The gazella, is an Indian goat, with long, erect, cylindrical horns, annulated near the base.

8. The cervicapra, is likewise an Indian goat, with plaited, cylindrical horns. The hair near the horns is longer than in any other part of the body.

9. The Bezoartica, or Bezoar-goat, is bearded, and has cylindrical, arched, and wholly annulated horns. It is a native of Persia. The bezoar is found in one of the stomachs called abomasus. See BEZOAR.

10. The dorcas, or antelope, has cylindrical, annulated horns, bent backward, contorted, and arising from the front between their eyes. It is a native of Africa and Mexico.

11. The tartarica, has cylindrical, strait, annulated horns, diaphanous at the points. It has no beard, and is found in the northern parts of Asia.

12. The ammon, has semicircular, plain, white horns, and no beard. It is about the size of a ram, and is a native of Siberia.