They are not the same species, however.

In my opinion, they are _not wild sheep at all_, but true antelopes, as much so as the chamois of the Alps, or the prong-horns of the prairie.

Indeed, to say that our common sheep sprung from the argali seems a very absurd theory.

There is but little resemblance between the two animals, except about the head and horns of the rams; and, I think, no circumstances could have caused such a difference as there exists between them in other respects.

I should say, then, that the big-horns are not sheep, but antelopes--_mountain_ _antelopes_, you might call them, to distinguish them from their prong-horned cousins, who prefer to range over the plains, while they, on the contrary, spend most of their time among the steep and craggy cliffs." An exclamation from Basil, who was walking a few paces in advance, at this moment summoned the attention of his brothers, and put an end to this conversation.