The aoudad or Barbary Sheep (Ammotragus lervia) is a wild mountain sheep of north Africa, having horns curved in a semicircle and long hair covering the neck and forelegs. The Aoudad is not true sheep, but is a quadruped allied to the sheep, most closely to the mouflon, from which, however, it may be easily distinguished by the heavy mane, commencing at the throat and falling as far as the knees. Research Aoudad
The banxring (genus Tupaia), is a quadruped belonging to the Insectivora, inhabiting the Indian Archipelago, bearing some resemblance externally to a squirrel, but having a long pointed snout. They live among trees, which they ascend with great agility. Research Banx'ring
The glutton also known as the Wolverene or Wolverine (Gulo arcticus) is a carnivorousquadruped, about the size of a large badger, and intermediate between the bear family and the weasels. It inhabits northern Europe and America. The glutton is slow and clumsy, but persevering, cunning, fierce, and of great strength. It prefers putrid flesh, and has an extremely fetid odour. The fur was formerly much sought after, that from Siberia being preferred from its being of a glossy black. The animal receives its name from its voracity, which, however, has been greatly exaggerated. Research Glutton
The goat is a horned ruminantquadruped of the genus Capra. The horns are hollow, erect, turned backward, annular on the surface, and scabrous. The male is generally bearded under the chin. Goats are nearly of the size of sheep, but stronger, less timid, and more agile. They frequent rocks and mountains, and subsist on scanty coarse food. Their milk is sweet, nourishing, and medicinal, and their flesh furnishes food. Goats are of almost interminable variety, and it is not certainly known from which the domesitic goat is descended, though opinion favours the Capra cegagrus, or wild goat of Western Asia. Goats are generally subdivided into ibexes and goats proper. They are found in all parts of the world, and many varieties are valued for their hair or wool. The skin is prepared for a variety of purposes, and yields the leather known under the name of morocco. The Cashmere goat, as its name indicates, is a native of Cashmere; it is smaller than the common domestic goat, and has long, silky, fine hair. The Angora goat is also furnished with soft silky hair of a silver-white colour, hanging down in curling locks about 20 centimeters long. Its horns are in a spiral form, and extend laterally. The Rocky Mountain goat is the Haplocerus montanus, or big-horn. In Massachusetts, USA, it is illegal for a goat to wear trousers. Research Goat
The ratel or honey-badger is a carnivorousquadruped of the genus Mellivora, and of the badger family. It is found in south and east Africa and India. The South African or Cape ratel (Mellivora ratel) averages about one metre in length including an eight or nine inch tail. Research Ratel
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Aoudad
