_The Aoudad._—This animal is to be found only in the very steep and inaccessible cliffs, and in the woods and forests of the mountains of Atlas, south of Marocco and in Lower Suse, except when it descends to the rivers to drink. It throws itself from lofty precipices into the plains below, alighting generally on its horns or shoulders. None of them have ever been caught in a state to allow of their being kept alive, being so very wild that it is not possible to approach them without great danger. In size and colour the Aoudad is similar to a calf; it has a beautiful long mane or beard, growing from the lower part of the neck; its teeth are very strong, and indicative of its longevity; the horns are about twelve inches in length, curved, of a dark colour, and are used for various purposes. The only two skins of this animal which ever came to Europe, I had the honour of sending to the Right Honourable President of the Royal Society;[82] the horns and teeth were with one of them, which I had much difficulty in procuring from a Shelluh merchant, who having inadvertently observed to some of his friends the interest I took in procuring it, the jealousy of the Moors was raised, and they conceiving it to be some rich treasure, the officers of the Custom-house obliged me to pay an enormous duty for it. No other skin of this hitherto undescribed animal has been brought to Europe since; nor do I apprehend we shall know more respecting the animal itself, whilst the present imperfect knowledge of Africa continues. Emissaries, whether commercial or philosophical, to that country, should furnish themselves with a general and practical knowledge of the Arabic language, without which little progress can be expected in its discovery.