A History of the Earth and Animated Nature

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1810 edition. Excerpt: ...becomes so hot, that the summers sun is oppressive to him, and he seeks for a retreat under masses of congealed snow and ice, in the caverns amons; the rocks, or in the depth of the gloomy forests that climb the northern declivities of the most scabrous mountains. In winter, he descends into the lower forests, and contents himself with pine leaves, and.such green or dry herbs as he can procure by scratching with his feet among the snow. The forests, however, that he most delights in, are those that abound with rocks and precipices. Hence the hunting of the chamois is very difficult. Sometimes they aro hunted, like stags and other animals, by posting hunters at the narrow passages, while o theis beat about, and raise the game. But the mode most in use is for the hunters to watch their opportunity behind rocks or stones, and shoot them with musket balls. In this case, care must be taken that the wind blows in the face of the hunter; for, if he hunts with the wind, the chamois is so acute in the sense of smelling, that, at the distance of half a league, he will perceive the scent. When this happens, or hears any thing which he does not see, and which alarms him, he whistles, or blows, with a force that makes the rocks and forests re-echo to the sound. He pauses for a moment, looks around him on every side, and forthwith begins to whistle from time to time. He continues this whistling and watching till his agitation is extreme. He then strikes the ground with his feet, leaps upon the highest stones, looks anxiously around, hurries from one eminence to another, till, discovering the object of his fear, he flies off. The skin of the Chamois, when dressed, is a strong and supple leather, in universal request for riding breeches. and gloves. THE...