SHAM'MY,

1. A species of wild goat, (Capra rupicapra, goat of the rocks, ) inhabiting the mountains of Savoy, Piedmont, and Pyrenees.

The shamois is now considered as a species of antelope, (Antelope rupicapra.)

2. A kind of sether prepared from the skin of the wild goat. It is dressed in oil or tanned, much esteemed for its softness, pliancey and quality of bearing soap without damage. A great part of the lether which bears this name is conterfeit, being made of the skin of the common goat, the kid. or even of sheep.