ANTILOFE.E. 



ANTILOPE^S. 



262 



at the croup ; the ears are upwards of 6 inches long, and the tail 

 about 44 inches. The horns rise perpendicularly from the skull, imme- 

 diately above the orbits ; they spread outwards, and are perfectly 



The Prong-Horn (A, Americana,} 



straight till within 2 or 3 inches of the points, where they curve 

 suddenly l)iickw!inl.-i ami inwards, forming a small hook, like those of 

 the Chamois. The prong is situated upon their anterior face, and in 

 adult animals about half-way up from the root ; below it the horns 

 are strongly compressed, rough and scabrous or pearly, like the 

 antlers of deer ; above it they are round, black, and polished. The 

 prong itself is also very much compressed ; it is little more than an 

 inch in length, and points forwards, upwards, and a little outwards. 

 The ears are long, narrow, and pointed ; the tail short and bushy ; 

 the eye large and lively ; the limbs long an* slender; and the whole 

 furiii and appearance of the animal peculiarly graceful and elegant. 

 The head, ears, and legs are covered with short close hair of tbe 

 e. .innum description, but that of the body is long and padded, and of 

 a texture altogether different from that of other animals. It is 

 tubular in- Imlliiw within like the feather of a bird, but so brittle and 

 (li-\.iid of elasticity thitt it snaps with the smallest effort, and, when 

 pressed between the finger and thumb, crushes like a reed and never 

 regains its original form. It stands directly out at right angles to the 

 liiile, in about 2 inches long on the back, sides, and buttocks, but from 

 the ears half-way down the neck it exceeds 6 inches in length, and 

 forms an erect mane, equally conspicuous in both sexes. On the nape 

 of the neck, shoulders, back, and hips, it js of a uniform fawn-colour 

 for half an inch at the point, and light-blue with a tinge of rose- 

 colour at the root ; on the sides, chest, and belly, the latter colour 

 I in vails at the root, owl the point is of a pure and shilling white. 

 The extremities are uniform light fawn-colour throughout, except on 

 the jnterior of the fore anus and thighs, which are white. A broad 

 disk of pure white also surrounds the tail, and passes over the croup, 

 and the throat is likewise marked with two transverse bands of the 

 same colour. Thin is the winter dress of the animal ; but Dr. Richard- 

 nun, who has well described it in his ' Fauna Boreali-Americaua,' 

 informs us that in summer when the new coat appears, it has at first 

 the ordinary texture and appearance of common hair, and that it only 

 assumes the appearances here described on the approach of the cold 

 season. 



:< Horn inhabits all the western parts of North America 

 from the .W lit' in H-: h latitude to the plains of Mexico and California, 

 that is, presuming this species to be the Mazama of Hernandez : it is 

 particularly numerous on the banks of the southern branch of the 

 Saskatchewan, and on the upper plains of the Columbia River, and a 

 small herd annually visits the neighbourhood .,f the station called Carl- 

 tun House, where some even linger throughout the winter. They are 

 gregarious, frequent the open plains and hills of moderate height, never 

 inhabit closely-wooded districts, and migrate from north to south 

 according to the season. When the ground is clear, their speed sur- 

 passes that of most other animals, but a good horse easily outstrips 

 them after a slight fall of snow. They are extremely curious, and the 

 Indians, and even the wolves, as wo are informed by Dr. Godman, 

 know how to take advantage of their curiosity to get within reach of 

 them, l.y crouching lin'/.ti. ;IMI| moving rnr\v;tnls nr stopping alter- 

 .. The antelopes win-el round and round td if their 



inn, decreasing their distance at every turn, till at last they 

 approach sufficiently near to lie shot or captured. Thin lKil.it 

 IK them an easy prey, but as their flesh is not much esteemed 



by the Indians, they are only hunted in times of scarcity. The 

 females produce one kid, and occasionally two kids, early in the month 

 of June. 



II. ANTELOPES or THE DESERT. 



In this section the animals have a broad nose with the nostrils 

 subvalvular, and lined with bristles within. Dr. J. E. Gray divides 

 these into two groups, the Equine Antelopes, and the Bovine Antelopes. 



1. Equine Antelopes. 



These Antelopes have a broad, depressed, spongy, bristly muzzle, 

 with large nostrils, covered with a large spongy valve. 

 Connochetes 



Has the horns bent down, and outwards on the sides, broad at the 

 base, bent up at the tip ; the nose broad, dilated, spongy, bristly ; 

 the nostrils large, operculated ; the tail elongate, bushy, hairy from 

 the base ; the hoofs compressed in front ; the intermaxillary bones 

 elongated ; the nose-hole rather large ; the frontal bone much produced 

 behind. The female has four teats. 



66. C. Gnu (Antilope Gnu, Gmelin), the Gnu orKokoon, is about the 

 size of a well-grown ass. The neck, body, and tail precisely resemble 



The Gnu (C. gnu). 



those of a small horse, and the pace also, which is a species of light 

 gallop, is so perfectly similar, that a herd of Gnus, when seen at a 

 distance flying over the plains of South Africa, might be readily 

 mistaken for a troop of the wild zebras or quaggas which inhabit the 

 same localities, if their dark and uniform colour did not distinguish 

 them. 



The Grrus five in extensive herds on the karroos of South Africa ; 

 they are naturally wild and difficult to approach, and when wounded 

 will turn upon the hunter and pursue him iu turn, dropping on their 

 knees before making an attack, and then darting forward* with 

 amazing force and velocity. When first alarmed they commence by 

 flinging up their heels and capering like a restive horse, tossing their 

 heads and tails, and butting at the mole-hills or other objects, but 

 immediately after taking to flight, and traversing the desert with a 

 speed which soon carries them beyond the reach of danger. They do 

 not run iu a confused crowd like sheep or oxen, but in single file 

 following a lender, and have a pleasing appearance as they skim 

 over the level plains. They are said to be subject to a cutaneous 

 eruption at particular seasons of the year, which they sometimes 

 communicate to domestic cattle, and which invariably nds in 

 death. 



The Kokoou (A. taurina, Burchell), is identiral with the common 

 Gnu, as may be seen by the specimen named Kokoon by Col. H. Smith, 

 in the collection of the London Missionary Society. 



67. C. Gorffon (Catoblepai Gunjun, It. Smith), the Gorgon, or Brindled 

 Gnu, has a convex smooth faee. envcrfil \vith hair lying towards the 

 nose ; the chest not mailed. It is of a black colour, varied, and striped 

 with gray. It is the Bastard Wilde Me.-st of the I lutch at the Cape. 

 It lives to the north of the Nu Gareep, or Black River, and though 

 herds feed on its banks, yet it is not known to cross it. It occurs on 

 the large plains north of the Orange River, and when alarmed each herd 

 dceamps in long regular files. The flesh is good to eat, and is much 

 sought after. The Betchuanas use the skins for their cloaks and 

 mantles. 



2. Jlnriiii- Aiii'lupca. 



Thc?e AII .In- DOM im.iii niii ly broad, with a i ler.-ite 



or small bald moist muffle ; the horns high on the frontal ridge ; the 

 grinders rather small, without supplemental lobes; the central cutting- 

 teeth enlarged at the cud. 



