1 84 ANTELOPES 



distribution, the most distinct forms occurring at the two extremes, and 

 the intermediate ones in the middle of the series." 



The pigmy antelopes are nearly related to the grysbok group, but 

 their horns, which may not project behind the back of the head, slope 

 backwards in or near the plane of the forehead, and the gland-pits in 

 the skull are large. Lateral hoofs are always wanting. 



The royal antelope, which has been known in Europe since the 

 year 1704, is distinguished not only by its very diminutive stature 

 (shoulder-height about 12 inches), but by the extreme shortness of 

 the horns of the bucks, which do not project behind the back of the 

 head, coupled with the absence of unossified spaces in the skull between 

 the eye-sockets and the nose-bones. The general colour of the upper- 

 parts is bright rufous fawn, browner on the head and fore part of the 

 back, and richer in tone towards the rump. In contrast to this is the 

 white of the chin, throat, under-parts, and a line on the hind surface of 

 the fore-limbs and another on the front of the hind-limbs. The tail, 

 which is short and tufted, is bright rufous above, but white at the tip 

 and beneath. 



Well known from Guinea and Fanti, this tiny antelope apparently 

 ranges along the west coast from Liberia to Ashanti. 



By Bosman, of Utrecht, who referred to it in i 704, this antelope 

 was reported to be known to the natives as the " king of the harts," 

 whence, no doubt, the name of "royal " by which it is now known. It 

 is found in pairs in the thickest forests of the west coast, and is 

 extremely active, starting off when disturbed in leaps which, it is said, 

 may cover nine feet each. 



BATES'S PIGMY ANTELOPE 



{Neotragus hatesi) 



This species, which was first described by Mr. W. E. de Winton in 

 the Zoological Society's Proceedings for 1903 (vol. i. p. 192), is to a 

 great extent intermediate between the royal antelope and the sunis. 

 With the latter it agrees in having an unossified space on each side of 

 the skull in advance of the socket of the eye ; but in the shortness 

 of the muzzle it resembles the former. The short horns, which 

 incline backwards in the line of the profile of the forehead almost as in 

 the royal antelope, are stout, conical, and smooth, except for a short 

 distance at the base, where they arc slightly roughened. In size the 



