240 



SEXUAL SELECTION: MAMMALS. 



[Pakt II. 



Bartlett informs me that when two of these animals pre- 

 pare for battle, they kneel down, with their heads between' 

 their front lesrs, and in this attitude the horns stand near- 

 ly parallel and close to the ground, with the points di- 

 rected forward and a little upward. The combatants 

 then gradually approach each other and endeavor to get 

 the upturned points under each other's bodies ; if one suc- 

 ceeds in doing this he suddenly springs up, throwing up 



Fig. 61.— Oryx leucorys, male (from the Knowsley "Menagerie). 



his head at the same time, and can thus wound or per- 

 haps even transfix his antagonist. Both animals always 

 kneel down so as to guard as far as possible against this 

 manoeuvre. It has been recorded.that one of these ante- 

 lopes has used his horns with effect even against a lion ; 

 yet, from being forced to place his head between the fore- 

 legs in order to bring the points of the horns forward, he 

 would generally be under a great disadvantage when at- 

 tacked by any other animal. It is, therefore, not probable 

 that the horns have been modified into their present great 

 length and peculiar position, as a protection against 

 beasts of prey. We can, however, see that as soon as 



