safely to his residence in Essex. The soil of the park at Weald Hall,
where they have been kept ever since, is moist, and the situation is
much exposed. The animals have, nevertheless, continued in health, and
multiplied rapidly; so that his present flock consists of twenty-seven,
including the four original ones. Of these latter, a polled female,
which was old when purchased by him has every year produced at least one
kid, and has twice had twins. Those individuals of which the horns cross
are in Persia esteemed the best; and one of Mr. Tower's last year's kids
has this peculiarity. They show no impatience of cold, and are very
healthy; requiring only the occasional shelter of a shed in very rough
weather. In spring, summer, and autumn, they graze like sheep; and,
during winter, have been fed with hay, and refuse vegetables from the
garden; but their favourite food is gorse (U'lex europae'a), which they
devour eagerly, without being annoyed by its prickles. They damage young
plantations, but not more than other goats or deer will do. They breed
very early: three of Mr. Tower's goats this year produced kids before
they were themselves a twelvemonth old. A few produce brown wool; but
that of far the greater proportion of the goats is white, and this
latter is more valuable than the other. The coat is a mixture of long,
coarse hair and of short fine wool: this latter begins to be loose early
in April; and is collected, easily and expeditiously, by combing the
animals two or three times with such a comb as is used for horses'
manes. A good deal of the long hair comes off at the same time, but the
manufacturer has found no difficulty in separating it. The produce of a
male is about 4 oz., and of a female 2 oz.: 2 lbs. of wool, as it comes
off the goat's back, may be estimated to make one shawl 54 in. square.
It will, therefore, require ten goats, male and female, to furnish
materials for one shawl. Mr. Tower has this year had three shawls made
of his wool, one of which was examined by the committee of
manufacturers, The yarn was spun by Messrs. Pease of Darlington and was