LESSON 20 The chamois
第二十课 岩羚羊
The graceful chamois is found in all the mountains of Europe which bound the valley of the Danube, both on the north and on the south.
欧洲多瑙河谷南北两侧所有的山脉上，都可以看到优雅的岩羚羊出没。
As, however, it prefers the cold air of the highest mountains, it makes Switzerland its chief home.
然而，它青睐海拔最高山脉上的冷空气，因此它最主要的家园在瑞士。
In general appearance, its head and body are not unlike those of the goat;
大体上它的模样是这样，头和身体都像山羊；
but it has a more slender neck, and no beard;
但它的脖子比山羊的更细长，没有胡子；
and its horns are black and stand erect, being curved into hocks only at the tips.
它长着黝黑而直立的尖角，角的尖端可以弯曲到跗关节。
The chamois is not only very swift of foot, but very sure-footed.
非常陡峭的岩石上也行走自如。四蹄可以敏捷地在
Its cup-shaped and sharp-edged hoofs have been specially made for the mountains on which it loves to dwell.
岩羚羊跑起来不仅健步如飞，而且步伐相当稳健。
It makes its way up and down the face of very steep rocks.
它喜欢在岩壁上安家，因为它特有的杯状而尖利的蹄子让它很适应居住于此。

It bounds swiftly from crag to crag, springing fearlessly on to the top of the sharpest rocks,
它的蹄子在悬崖峭壁的岩石之间辗转腾挪,
if only it can find room to place its four feet close together.
只要四蹄能找到紧密稳定的狭小空间，它可以无畏地跃上最锋利的岩石之上。
The flesh of the chamois is considered a great dainty by the Swiss;
瑞士人把岩羚羊的肉当做一道美味；
and its skin, when tanned, is the fine soft leather which is called after it, chamois-leather.
它的皮经过鞣制以后，是优良的软皮革，称为羚羊皮。
Chamois-hunting is a favourite pursuit in Switzerland.
在瑞士猎杀岩羚羊是最受人们喜欢的一项活动，
The sport is attended with very great peril.
参与这项活动非常危险。
The hunter has often to spend days and nights alone upon the mountains.
猎人经常在山上独自度过几天几夜。
He has to pass over the most dangerous rocks and precipices, and often his rashness costs him his life.
他必须经过最危险的岩石和悬崖断壁，鲁莽行事经常会让他们付出生命的代价。