Southern world : journal of industry for the farm, home and workshop. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1882-18??, July 15, 1882, Image 1

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\ [Kntkbkd at th» PotrrOrricK. in Atlanta, Georgia, fob transportation through the Uwitkd Btatiqb Mailh at 8bcond Class Rates.] ATLANTA, GA., JULY 15, 1882. of announcing danger, to his friends, but also of indicating the direction from which it proceeds. Facts of this nature, of which there are abundance on record, prove that although the sound of animals’ voices ap pear to us to be without any definite sig nification, yet they possess the capability of communicating ideas to others of the same species. When their attention is aroused by anything suspicions, they have a habit of gazing fixedly in the direction of the trained to climb the giddy heights of the Alpine mountains, to traverse the most fearful precipices with a quiet and steady head, to exist for days amid the terrible solitudes of ice, roclc and snow, and to sus tain almost every imaginable hardship in the pursuit of their game,—only these or in very rare instances those who have a natu ral aptitude for the sport, and in conse quence, are soon initiated into its necessary accomplishments, can hope even to oome The Chamois. Goat-like in aspect, and very hircine in many habits, the chamois is often supposed to belong to the goats rather than to the Antelopes. It is however, a true antelope, and may readily be distinguished from any of its relations by the peculiar form of horns, which rise straight from the top of the head for some inches, and then suddenly.curve backwards, so as to form a pair of sharp hooks. Formerly this animal was reported to employ these ornaments in aiding itself to ascend or de scend the frightful precipices on which it dwells. This opin ion is, however, entirely erro neous. In descending a preci pitous rock, the chamois is greatly aided by the false hoofs of the hinder feet, which it hitches upon every little irreg ularity in the stony surface, and which seems to retard its progress as it slides downward, guided by the sharp hoofs of the fore-feet, which are placed closely together, and pushed well in advance of the body. Thus flattened against the rock, the chamois slides downwards until it comes to a ledge broad enough to permit it to repose for a while before descending further. In this manner the active creature will not hesi tate to descend some twenty or thirty yards along the face of an almost perpendicular cliff, being sure to make good its footing on the first broad ledge that may present itself. Although it is a very swift animal when upon level ground, and unsurpassed in traversing the precipitous Al pine passes of its native home, it makes but poor progress upon smooth ice, and in spite of its sharply-pointed hoofs, slip and slide about on the glassy sur face as awkwardly as any other animal. Thu chamois is one of the most wury of antelopes, and possesses the power of scenting mankind at an ulmost incredible distance. Kvun the old and half obliterated foot marks which a man lias made in the snow are sufficient to startle the sensitive senses of this uuimal, which 1ms been observed to stop in mid career down a mountain side, and bound away at right auglcs to its former course, merely be cause it lmd come across the tracks which had been left by the steps of some mountain traveler. Like all animals which live in herds, however small, they always depute one of their number to act as sen tinel. They are not, however, dependent on the vigilance of their picket, but are always on the alert to take alarm at the least suspicious scent, sight or sound, 1 and to communicate their fears to their comrades by a peculiar warning whistle. As soon as this sign is heard, the entire herd takes to flight. It is worthy of notice, that the sentinel must possess the power, not only ble rock, and taking advantage of every lit tle projection, to add impetus to its prog ress. Even when standing still it is able to mount to a higher position without leaping. It stands erect on its hindlegs, places its fore feet on some narrow shelf of rock, and by a sudden exertion, draws its whole body upon the ledge, where it stands secure. The food of the chamois consists of the various herbs which grow upon the moun tains, and in the winter season it finds its nourishment on the buds of sundry trees, mostly of an aromatic nature, such as the fir, plno and juniper. In con sequence of this diet the flesh assumes arather powerful odor, which is decidedly repulsive to the palates of some persons, while others seem to appreciate the peculiar flavor and to value it as highly as the mod ern gourmand appreciates the gamey flavor of long kept venison. The skin is largely employed in the manufacture of a certain leather, which is widely famous for its soft, though tough character. The color of the chamois is yellow ish brown, upon the greater portion ofthe body, the spinal line being marked with a black streak. In the winter months the fur darkeus and becomes blackish-brown. The face, cheeks and throat are of a yell- lowish-white hue, diversied by a dark brownish-black band, which passes from the corner of the mouth to the eyes, when It suddenly dilates and forms a nearly perfect ring around the eyes. The horns aro jet black and highly polished, espe cially towards the tips, whicli are extremely sharp. There are several obscure rings on the busal portions,and their entire surface is marked with longi tudinal lines. Several varieties of the cha mois arc recorded, but the dis tinction between them lie only in the comparative length of tho horns und the hue of the coat. The full-grown chamois is rather more than two feet in Height, and the hornB are from six to eight inches long. SAVED BY ITS MOTHER. object which has excited their alirm, and will remain still as if carved out of the very rock on which they stand, halting in one fixed attitude for an almost incredible length of'time, Their ears are as acute as their nostrils, so that there are very few animals which are more difficult to approach than the chamois. Only those who have been within long rifle range of a chamois when the animal is at large upon its native cliffs. As the hind legs exceed the fore limbs in length, tho chamois is better fitted for the ascent of steep ground than descending, and never exhibit its wonderful power with such success as when it is leaping lightly and rap idly up the face of an apparently inaccessi- Bmdslreet in his June report says: “In tolation to all the principal cotton states except Texas, thu evidence now in hand points to an increase in the percentage of reduction were any change to be made. The evidence is so strong as to fairly put beyond controversy the conclusion that the need of cultivating the provision crops to a greater extent has for once, at least, taken pos session of the South. The ground under tillage has, of course, been in creased, but this increase, together with 6 per cent, of the land given over to cotton last year, has been put into the small grains. Cheerfulness is an excellent wearing qual-. ily, And has been called the bright weather of the heart. 1u J ONK DOLLAR •NO. 18. j A YEAR. PUBLISHED 1 TrrvT T TWICE A MONTH.; VOL. 1.