To  that  on  the  right  bank,  which  is  the  lower,  the  barometer
gave  a  height  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  feet.  This  place
will  be  more  particularly  described  hereafter,  as  we  passed
through  it  on  our  return


ADVENTURES  AND  EXPLORATION&       147

We  saw  here  numerous  herds  of  mountain  sheep,  ana  fre.
fuently  heard  the  volley  of  rattling  stones  which  accompanied
their  rapid  descent  down  the  steep  hills.  This  was  the  first
place  at  which  we  had  killed  any  of  these  animals ;  and,  in
consequence  of  this  circumstance,  and  of  the  abundance  of
these  sheep  or  goats,  (for  they  are  called  by  each  name,)  we
gave  our  encampment  the  name  of  Goat  Island.  Their  flesh
is  much  esteemed  by  the  hunters,  and  has  very  much  the
flavor  of  Alleghany  mountain  sheep.  I  have  frequently  seen
the  horns  of  this  animal  three  feet  long  and  seventeen  inches
in  circ-imference  at  the  base,  weighing  eleven  pounds.  But
two  or  three  of  these  were  killed  by  our  party  at  this  place,
and  of  these  the  horns  were  small.  The  use  of  these  horns
seems  to  be  to  protect  the  animal's  head  in  pitching  down  pre-
cipices to  avoid  pursuing  wolves — their  only  safety  being  in
places  where  they  cannot  be  followed.  The  bones  are  very
strong  and  solid,  the  marrow  occupying  but  a  very  small  por-
lion  of  the  bone  in  the  leg,  about  the  thickness  of  a  rye  straw.
The  hair  is  short,  resembling  the  winter  color  of  our  common
deer,  which  it  nearly  approaches  in  size  and  appearance.  Ex-
cept in  the  horns,  it  has  no  resemblance  whatever  to  the  goat.
