THE CAPRID,?" 191 



this is in other respects maintained, a single strong 

 prong jutting from it at the base, and shewing a mo- 

 dification of structure which, if not known to exist, 

 would certainly have been surmised. The horns in 

 the other species sometimes approach to a flattened 

 form, are sometimes bent in abrupt knees, or sudden 

 nooks ; but the general form is rounded, or spirally 

 twisted, almost always inclining backwards. 



The first section of the Capridae will be composed 

 of the antelopes, forming a subfamily Antelopincs, 

 and containing by far the greater proportion of the 

 whole. By Major Smith it has also been divided 

 into subgenera, which we shall notice in succession, 

 but in the present volume will be able only to review 

 a portion of them. 



In their general characters they continue the deer- 

 like form, and only in some of the concluding forms 

 resemble in appearance the succeeding groups of the 

 sheep and goats, while a few indicate the peculiari- 

 ties of the next or Bovine Family. The hair con- 

 tinues also the quality of that of the deer. The tail 

 is in general somewhat, lengthened. The horns are 

 not confined to the males only, though in the other 

 sex they are generally less developed. The greatest 

 part of them are gregarious, and form one of the 

 most beautiful and interesting objects in the African 

 desert. They are easily alarmed, and dart suddenly 

 off on observing the cause of their distrust : but, pos- 

 eessing a great share of curiosity, make sudden 

 "wheels, and stop to inspect the intruders, without, 



