476 Mammatta or Inpra. 
This antelope has been raised by the Hindoos amongst the constella- 
tions harnessed to the chariot of the moon. Brahmins can feed on its 
flesh under certain circumstances prescribed by the ‘ Institutes of Menu,’ 
and it is sometimes tamed by Fakirs. It is easily domesticated, but the 
bucks are always dangerous when their horns are full grown, especially 
to children. The breeding season begins in the spring, but fawns of all 
ages may be seen at any time of the year. The flesh of this species is 
among the best of the wild ruminants. 
The next group of antelopes are those with smooth horns, without 
knots; spiral in some African species, but short and straight, or but 
slightly curved in the Indian ones. Females hornless. ‘There are but 
two genera in India, Portax and TZetraceros. 
GENUS PORTAX—THE NYLGAO. 
Horns on back edge of frontal bone behind the orbit, short, recurved, 
conical and smooth, angular at the base; bovine nose with large moist 
muffle ; small eye-pits ; hind legs shorter than the front; tail long and 
tufted ; back short, sloping down from high withers ; the neck deep and 
compressed like a horse, with a short upright mane; on the throat of 
the male under a white patch is a long tuft of black hair. In the skull 
the nasal opening is small, and the molars have, according to Dr. Gray, 
supplementary lobes. Dr. Jerdon says: ‘“ There is a small pit in front 
of the orbit, and anterior to this a small longitudinal fold, in the middle 
of which there is a pore through which exudes a yellow secretion from 
the gland beneath.” 
The female has sometimes in an abnormal condition been found with 
horns. Mr. J. Cockburn, in a letter to Zhe Asian (11th of November, 
1879, p. 40), describes such a one. 
No. 462. PORTAX PICTUS ve/ TRAGOCAMELUS. 
The Nylgao or Blue Bull ( Jerdon’s No. 226). 
NaTIVE NamMes.—Wilgao, Nilgai, or Lilgao, Lilgai, Rojra or Rosh, 
Rooi (female), Hindi; Guwraya, Gondi; Maravi, Canarese ; Manupotu, 
Telegu. 
Hapitat.—India generally, from the Himalayas to the south. It is 
not common south of the Ganges, nor, according to Jerdon, is it found 
in the extreme south of India. 
Description.—A horse-like animal at the first glance, owing to its 
lean head, long, flat, and deep neck, and high withers, but with cervine 
