THE ANTELOPE. 107 



The gazelle forms a connecting species between the goat and the 

 deer kinds ; somewhat resembling the former internally, and the 

 latter externally, excepting its horns, which are annulated or ring- 

 ed round, with longitudinal depressions running from the bottom to 

 the point. Of all animals in the world the gazelle is said to have 

 the most beautiful eye. 



From Dr. Russell we learn, that the inhabitants of Syria distin- 

 guish between the antelope of the mountain, and that of the plain. 

 The former is the most beautifully formed, and it bounds with sur- 

 prising agility ; the latter is of a much lighter color, and is neither 

 so strong nor so active. Both, however, are so fleet, that the grey- 

 hounds, though reckoned excellent cannot, come up with them, 

 without the aid of the falcon, except in soft deep ground. It is to 

 the former species of this animal, apparently, that the saci-ed writers 

 allude, since they distinctly notice their fleetness upon the moun- 

 tains, 1 Chron. xii. 8 ; Cant. ii. 8, 9, 17 ; viii. 14. 



The usual method of taking the antelope is by hunting it with 

 the falcon, or the ounce ; but it is sometimes taken by the following 

 expedient. A tame antelope, bred up for the purpose, is taught to 

 'join those of its kind wherever it perceives them. When the hun- 

 ter, therefore, discovers a herd of these together, he fixes a noose 

 round the horns of the tame animal, in such a manner, lhat if the 

 rest but touch it they are entangled ; and thus prepared, he sends 

 his antelope among the rest. The tame animal no sooner ap- 

 proaches, but the males of the herd instantly sally forth to oppose 

 him; and in butting with their horns are caught in the noose. 

 Finding itself taken in the snare, terror lends it additional strength 

 and activity, and it makes the most vigorous exertions to disentan- 

 gle itself, and escape before the hunter can come up with it. Its 

 effort under these circumstances is proposed for imitation to the 

 person who had rashly become surety for his neighbor : * Deliver 

 thyself as an antelope from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird 

 from the hand of the fowler,' (Prov. vi. 5.) ; that is, * Thou hast im- 

 prudently placed thyself in perilous circumstances, suffer no delay 

 in making an effort for thy release.' 



There seems to be something so highly figurative in the exclama- 

 tion of the bride, (Cant. i. 7), 'Tell me, O thou, whom my soul 

 loveth, where thou feedest,' &c. that it has never occurred to critics, 

 that the speaker, assuming the metaphorical character of a gazette 

 or antelope, inquires for the resting place of the flock, wherein she 

 also might rest. They have usually supposed that she makes this 

 inquiry in the character of a shepherdess, meaning to accompany 

 her shepherd, and to associate with him at the noon time of day, 

 when he would be reposing. 



