HUNTING THE ORYX. 373 



eccentrically adorn its head, giving it the appearance of 

 a stall collar, together with the manner in which the rump and 

 thighs are painted, impart to it a character peculiar to itself. 

 The adult male measures three feet ten inches in height at the 

 shoulder. 



The gemsbok was destined by nature to adorn the parched 

 karroos and arid deserts of South Africa, for which description 

 of country it is admirably adapted. It thrives and attains 

 high condition in barren regions, where it might be imagined 

 that a locust would not find subsistence, and, burning as is the 

 climate, it is perfectly independent of water, which, from my 

 own observation, and the repeated reports both of the Boers 

 and aborigines, I am convinced it never by any chance tastes. 

 Its flesh is deservedly esteemed, and ranks next to the eland. 

 At certain seasons of the year they carry a great quantity of 

 fat, at which time they can more easily be ridden into. Owing 

 to the even nature of the ground which the oryx frequents, its 

 shy and suspicious disposition, and the extreme distance from 

 water to which it must be followed, it is never stalked or driven 

 to an ambush like other antelopes, but is hunted on horseback, 

 and ridden down by a long, severe, tail-on-end chase. Of 

 several animals in South Africa which are hunted in this 

 manner, and may be ridden into by a horse, the oryx is by 

 far the swiftest and most enduring. They are widely diffused 

 throughout the centre and western parts of South Africa. 



The oryx, says Mr. Wood, animal, is well known among 

 hunters as the only antelope that revenges itself on the lion. 

 When the lion springs on it, it lowers its sharp horns, receiving 

 the lion on their points. It invariably perishes by the shock, 

 but the lion also perishes with it. Their skeletons have been 

 seen lying together bleached on the plain. 



32 



