CLASS MAMMALIA. 



23 



The Gnu (nu), [Common and Brindled], resembles the 

 horse, buffalo, and deer. It is, however, a bovine antelope.* 



FIG. 412. 



FIG. 413. 



A. gnu. Gnu. (J s .) 



The Oryx (o'riks), or Gemsbok (gemz'bok), is sometimes 

 called the " Unicorn" as its 

 straight horns, seen in profile, 

 so exactly cover each other as 

 to seem but one. It is the 

 only antelope that defends it- 

 self against the lion ; receiving 

 its enemy on the point of its 

 sharp horns, which serve as 

 natural bayonets. 



* " Gnus live in herds, often mixing with 



Ostriches, Zebras, and Giraffes, in one great ^ g' r ,, r Gcincbok. (j~.) 



mass. When alarmed they spring up, and 



whisking their long white tails, pursiie one another at full speed, pawing, kick- 

 ing, and the bulls fighting and tumbling down at every shock. This strange 

 conduct has given them the name of W T ildebeeste, among the Dutch settlers. 

 Q-nus are so timid, that at the first sight of a strange object, they will set off 

 as if half-crazy with fear, but their curiosity soon leads them to retiirn to in- 

 Bpect it, though at the risk of their lives. A hunter, by merely tying a red 



