GNUS 



309 



best known ; this is the animal known as the Hartebeest. The 

 Bontebok and Blessbok belong to a closely-allied genus, Damaliscus, 

 distinguished mainly by the fact that the bony base of the horn 

 cores is not extended upwards, and therefore the parietal bones 

 are visible when the skull is viewed from in front, which is not 

 the case in Bubalis. 



The Gnus, Connochaetes, are familiar owing to their curious 

 aspect. The hairy face, and rump and tail like those of a pony 



FIG. 160. Brindled Gnu. Connochaetes taurinus. x^ . 



are highly characteristic. The horns are bovine in appearance, 

 standing outwards and then curving upwards. 1 There are three 

 species of Gnu, all from South Africa. They are C. gnu, C. taurinus, 

 and (7. albogulatus. 



Of the Cephalophine section there are two genera : 

 Ceplialophus is an African genus. These animals are known 

 as Duikerboks ; they are small, and have short non- curved 

 horns in the male sex only. Their general aspect is not un- 

 like that of certain Deer with simple horns, such as Cervulvs. 

 Messrs. Sclater and Thomas allow thirty -eight species. The 



1 They are straight in the young. 



