ORYX.—Oryx Leucorya. 
of retaining the moisture, the Water-Root. Only a very small portion of the valuable 
plant appears above the ground, and the water-bearing bulb is so encrusted with hardened 
soil that it must be dug out with a knife. Several other succulent plants also possess 
similar qualities, among which may be noticed a kind of little melon which is spread 
over the whole of the great Kalahari desert. 
RESEMBLING the gems-bok in many particulars, the Oryx can be easily distinguished 
from its predecessor by the shape of the horns, which, instead of being nearly straight, 
are considerably bent, and sweep towards the back in a noble curve. 
It uses these horns with as much address as its near relative the Gems-bok, and if it 
should be lying wounded on the ground, the hunter must beware of approaching the 
seemingly quiescent animal, lest it should suddenly strike at him with its long and 
keenly-pointed horns, while its body lies prostrate on the earth. Should it be standing 
at bay, it is a very dangerous opponent, having a habit of suddenly lowering its head 
and charging forward with a quick, lightning-like speed, from which its antagonist cannot 
escape without difficulty. 
The colour of this animal is greyish-white upon the greater part of its person, and is 
diversified by sundry bold markings of black and ruddy brown, which are spread over the 
head and body in a manner that can be readily comprehended from the illustration. The 
height of the Oryx is rather more than three feet six inches, and the long curved horns 
are upwards of three feet in leneth. These horns are set closely together upon the head, 
from whence they diverge gradually to their extremities. These weapons are covered 
with rings at their bases, but at their tips they are smooth and exceedingly sharp. Their 
colour is black. 
