Gemse 



"^11 



antelopes, goat-like antelopes, or caprine antelopes are neither euphonious 

 nor convenient. Chamois is, of course, the French name of the present 

 animal, and gemse, or gems, its German equivalent. The transference of 

 the latter name, in the form of gemsbok, by the Boers to the South African 

 oryx is one of many curious instances of misapplications of names. Had 



Fig. 40. — Caucaiian Chamois on the watch. (From Prince Dcmidoft's 

 Hunting Trips in the Cauciisui.) 



that name been given to the klipspringer there would have been but little 

 at which to cavil. 



From all ruminants the chamois (inclusive of its different local races) is 

 at once distinguished by the peculiar and characteristic curvature of its 

 cylindrical short black horns, which are smooth and polished at the tips, 

 but marked by fine transverse and longitudinal striae elsewhere. They 



2 A 



