190 



A PRIDES. 



From an animal of so extraordinary form as that 

 we have been just considering, we proceed to the 

 fourth great family of the Ruminantia, placed by 

 Major Smith under the title of Capridcs ; but there 

 is an evident gap of connexion on both sides of the 

 Giraffe, which will undoubtedly yet be filled by the 

 discovery of some animal of this order in the interior 

 of Africa, traces or hints of something allied having 

 been already given by several travellers in that fatal, 

 but yet almost unexplored, interior. The Caprida3 

 contain animals still possessing great grace and swift- 

 ness, and gentle dispositions, and many of great uti- 

 lity to man in a domesticated state. Their great 

 distinction from the Cervine or Deer Group, is in the 

 horns being persistent. Interiorly, they are a pro- 

 longation of the bone of the skull, of a very cellular 

 texture, and nourished by appropriate vessels and 

 nerves, while the external covering is the substance 

 called horn, covering the other like a sheath, and 

 also nourished from the root. The horns scarcely 

 ever divaricate, or run into<antlers, one animal where 

 there is an exception being placed at the commence- 

 ment of the Family. The character of the bora in 



