168 CHILDREN'S BOOK FOR SABBATH HOURS.

 An English Scripture Natural History this species of goat has been long a con-
gives the following account of the Syrian siderable article of trade and manufacture.
Goat, which was generally known to the European nations have had agents em-
ancient Jews, and employed in sacrifice: played for ages in Turkey, for the pur-
 It is covered with hair, pale and dun chase of the wool of these animals. The
in its color, which in Eastern countries most considerable manufacture of cam-
is spun into cloth. It was of cloth of lets fabricated with this wool in Europe
this kind the ancient coverings of the is carried on at Lille, and Amicus, in
tabernacle were made. Goats are noted French Flanders.
for their long beard, which gives them an The most remarkable use of the goat
appearance exceedingly venerable. They in the Levitical law, was on the fast of
feed on an immense variety of herbs ; atonement, when the one was sacrificed,
even poisonous herbs, which are destruc- and the other conducted to the wilder-
tive to others, are wholesome to them. ness and let loose, therefore called the
Their milk is considered healthy and scape-goat. The one represented the
medicinal. They can run on sides of human nature of Christ which died, and
rocks, and with the greatest ease can the other the divine, by which he lived
leap from one rock to another. They and conquered death."
feed on the tops of hills and among rugged Under the ceremonial law, goats were
rocks, in preference to valleys and plains esteemed clean, and were often sacrificed
of the richest luxuriance. They find instead of lambs.
sufficient nourishment in healthy, barren, The Psalmist says, "The high hills
and uncultivated ground, and carefully are a refuge for the wild goats."
avoid moist places, marshy meadows, Solomon, in his proverbs, says, There
and rich pastures, be three things which go well, yea, four
 "The Syrian goat may be regarded as are comely in going." Among these is
an elegant variety of the more common a he-goat."
species. It is remarkable for its pendu- He also says, Be diligent to know the
lous ears, which are often one foot in state of thy flocks, and look well to thy
length. Their hair is remarkable for its herds : The lambs are for thy clothing,
length, its fineness, and glossy appear- and the goats are the price of thy field:
ance. This species is exceedingly use- And thou shalt have goat's milk enough
ful for the quantity and excellence of for thy food, for the food of thy house-
their milk, being sweet and most agree- hold, and for the maintenance of thy
able to the taste. This we find alluded maidens."
to in Prov. xxvii. 27: 'And thou shalt In the Song of Solomon, Christ, in
have goat's milk enough for thy food, setting forth the graces of the Church,
the food of thy household and the main- says, "Thy hair is as a flock of goats
tenance of thy maidens.' The hair of that appear from Mount Gilead."