Chap. VIII.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. '57 



CHAPTER VIII 



FROM LITTLE CHOOT, TO THE MERITSANE RIVER. 



The true zebra* is exclusively confined to moun- 

 tainous regions, from which it rarely if ever de 

 scends : but the extensive plains of Southern Africa 

 abound with two distinct species of the same genus, 

 the quagga,f and the striped quagga or Burchell's 

 zebra. J These differ little from each other in 

 point of shape or size, both having the tail and 

 ears of the horse, whilst the zebra has those of the 

 ass. Of a pale red colour, the quagga is faintly 

 striped only on the head and neck — but Burchell's 

 zebra is adorned over every part of the body with 

 broad black bands, which beautifully contrast with 

 a pale yellow ground. The gnoo and the common 

 quagga delighting in the same situations, not un- 

 frequently herd together — but I have seldom seen 

 Burchell's zebra unaccompanied by troops of the 

 brindled gnoo,§ — an animal differing materially 

 from its brother of the same genus, from which, 

 though scarcely less ungainly, it is readily distin- 

 guishable at a great distance by its black mane and 

 tail, more elevated withers, and clumsier action. 



* Equiis Zebra 



i Equus Q"cg9a I j^^i;„,^te(l in the African Views. 



\ Equiis Burchel/i 

 h Catoblepas G'jrgo 



D5 



