80 THROUGH GASA LAND. 



and it has the reputation of being particularly veno- 

 mous. The natives specially dread it, as they do all 

 of its race, and no wonder, when we remember that 

 they go about in pur is naturalibus. However, the 

 number of deaths resulting from the bites of noxious 

 reptiles, cannot in Africa, in my belief, in any way 

 compare with the fatality in Hindostan and Ceylon 

 produced from similar causes. In crossing the upper 

 spur of the range of hills I disturbed several koodoos 

 and Harris-bok. Many sportsmen who have shot 

 in South Africa are unacquainted with the last 

 splendid animal, save by hearsay, and day by day it 

 (Hs__rapidly becoming more scarce. In the time of 

 Sir Cornwallis Harris — who first brought it to the 

 attention of the British public, and after whom it is 

 named — this grand beast was abundant within the 

 confines of the Colony, but those who seek it now 

 must go much further north. It stands about four- 

 teen and a half hands high, and is of a clear black 

 and creamy-white colour, with horns that make a 

 clean sweep backwards, and ultimately downwards, 

 similar in outline to those of the ibex. The base 

 and more than half of these weapons are deeply cor- 

 rugated, but the terminations are smooth and run to 

 a graceful tapering point. When it has been much 

 shot at it becomes naturally timid, but not so in 

 localities where it is permitted to range free from 

 danger, where it forms a most striking feature in the 

 landscape from its bold, fearless look. All the ante- 



