GNU 



131 



the only representatives of their respective names, and thus require no 

 prefix to their titles. 



Standing, in the case of the bulls, about 46 inches, or sometimes 

 perhaps rather more, at the shoulder, the gnu is characterised by the 

 horns being greatly expanded in the vertical direction at their bases, 

 which are nearly in contact, and curving at first downwards and 

 outwards, and then bending suddenly upwards, with a backward and 

 inward inclination at the tips. The long hairs of the tail are yellowish 

 white ; the mane is upright ; there is a crest of long bristles in the 

 middle of the lower part of the face, smaller tufts being situated below 

 the eyes ; the under surface of the lower jaw carries a fringe of long 



Fig. 35. — Gnus in Mr. Rudd's park at Fernwood, Newlands, near Cape Town. 



hair, and there is a fringe of still longer hair on the lower part of the 

 chest and between the forelegs. With the exception that there is 

 some white at the root, the long hair on the jaw and mane is black. 

 The general colour is deep umber-brown, passing into black on the 

 face. The ears are pointed and of moderate length, and in life the 

 eyes present a peculiarly wild and wicked appearance. The record 

 horn-length is 30-g^ inches, this being closely followed by a pair of 

 30 inches. 



The cows are much inferior in size to the bulls, with the horns 

 more slender and less expanded at their bases. Calves carry a long 

 shaggy fawn-coloured coat, with a line of black on the hind part of 

 the neck. 



