THE SABLE AXTELOPB. 541 



able, not even tho native pulate being proof against the nmk flnror. The scent extend* to th- 

 skin, w liii-li exhales -11 ]m.-i fill an odor that, w li.-n hunters ! . -nin^-d in rutting off tin- li--:i.| 

 of a Water Hiu-k which they hud killed, the scent was so siii.in: n- in drixe th>in repeatedly 

 fmtn their ta>k. Tin- color is brown, with the exception of a gniyish-w hit*- oval patch round 

 ill.- l>aweof the tail. 



'I'll.- s|,.-, jiie i. -nil. iJlipsyprymnvf, \B given to the animal in reference to thin elliptical 

 mark. The female is without horns. The height of the adult male is about four feet six 

 inches, and Ids horns are rather more than thirty inches in length. 



TDK i IM which nre placed in the gen us .Sgocerus bear* considerable resemblance 



to the ibex in the formation of the horns, which are of very great dimension*, large at the 

 base, st rough rinp-d. ami curved back wards towards the shoulders. The name .Egocerus is 

 of (ii.-.-k origin, and signifies Goat-haired, in allusion to the peculiar structure of these 

 apj>endages. 



The, BI.AC-BOK, or BLUE BUCK, as it is called, on account of the slaty-blue color of its 

 coat, is now a rather rare animal, although it was formerly common in many jwirts of Southern 

 Africa. 



It is a gregarious animal, living in little herds not exceeding ten or twelve in number, and 

 preferring hills and slopes to level ground. Like the preceding animal, it exhales a powerful 

 odor, which jM-nftnites throughout its entire body, and which renders its flesh so un]Milatable 

 that it is never eaten as long a.s nth.-r food can IN- obtained. It is a swift and active creature, 

 being ivmarkable for its speed even among the swift-footed Antelopes. There is a variety of 

 this animal, called the Docoi, which is found by the Gambia, and which is not quite of the 

 same color. The natives assert that the female never produces more than a single young one 

 during her lif.-tirne, for that the mother's horns grow so rapidly after the birth of the offspring. 

 thai they penetrate into her Iwck and kill her. The Blau-bok is about four feet in height, and 

 the horns are nearly thirty inches in length. 



ALTIIOI-UH the blan-bok is a truly handsome example of the Antelopes, it is surpassed in 

 beauty by its congener, the SABLE ANTELOPE. 



This truly magnificent creature is found in Southern Africa, but is never seen near the 

 colony, as it is a very shy and crafty animal, and being possessed of great upepd, is sure to 

 ki-cp itself far aloof from civilization. Gordon dimming* s description of this animal is as 

 follows : 



"Cantering along through the forest, I came suddenly in full view of one of the loveliest 

 animals which graces this fair creation. This was an old buck of the Sable Antelope, the 

 r.ir.-st and most beautiful animal in Africa. It is large and powerful, partaking considerably 

 of the nature of the ibex. Its back and sides are of glossy black, beautifully contrasting with 

 the belly. whi-h is white as driven snow. The horns are upwards of three feet in length, and 

 bend strongly back with a bold sweep, reaching nearly to the haunches." 



It lives in herds of no very great size, consisting mostly of ten or twelve does led by a 

 single buck. As a general fact, the buck takes matters very easily, and trusts to the does for 

 keeping a good watch and warning him of the approach of an enemy. Owing to the Jealous 

 caution of these female sentinels, the hunter finds himself sadly embarrassed when he wishes 

 to enrich his museum with the horns of their leader, and if any of them should happen to take 

 alarm, the whole herd will bound over the roughest ground with such matchless speed that 

 all pursuit is hopeless. In Captain Cnmming's well-known work, there is a most animated 

 description of the proceedings of a herd of Sable Antelopes, and of the hunter s manoeuvres in 

 order to gain his point. ' 



In the native dialect, the Sable Antelope is known under the name of Potaquaine. It is 



tenacious of life, and will often make good its escape even though pierced entirely through 



the* body with several bullets. It therefore fully tests all the powers of the hunter, and he 



who secures a -jM-cimen of an old male Sable Antelope may congratulate himself on 



one of the noblest trophies of which a sportsman can boast. 



