If not identical with the ordinary wild goat of Persia and Mesopotamia (_Capra cegagrus_), he is at any rate closely allied to it; and it is possible that all his peculiar characteristics may be the effect of climate.

He has a soft, white, silky fleece, very long, divided down the back by a strong line of separation, and falling on either side in beautiful spiral ringlets; his fleece weighs from two to four pounds.

It is of nearly uniform, length, and averages from five to five and a half inches.
The elk is said to inhabit Armenia, Affghanistan, and the lower part of the valley of the Indus; but it is perhaps not certain that he is really to be found in the two latter regions.

Monkeys abound in Eastern Oabul and the adjoining parts of India.

They may have also existed formerly in Upper Egypt.