Chap. XXV.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 223 



down Avith facility ; a discovery that enabled me to 

 obtain many splendid specimens. This rare and 

 remarkable animal, which has been already des- 

 cribed, is never fomid at a distance from the banks 

 of tropical rivers, in the waters of which he delights 

 to plunge. 



Another rare species — the roan antelope, or 

 bastard gemsbok — is an inhabitant of the elevated 

 downs and ridges about the source of this river, and, 

 being uttei'ly destitute of speed, may be ridden to 

 a stand-still without difficulty. This most im- 

 posing animal, which charges viciously when unable 

 to continue its flight, is the size of a large horse; 

 and, excepting the head and tail, which are jet black, 

 is uniformly of a delicate roan colour. It is heavily 

 built, and has an upright mane, long asinine ears, 

 and robust scimitar-shaped recurved horns. Here, 

 too, I first met with, and slew, the koodoo.* Ma- 

 jestic in its carriage, and brilliant in its colour, this 

 species may with propriety be styled the king of 

 the tribe. Other antelopes are stately, elegant, or 

 curious — but the solitude-seeking koodoo is abso- 

 lutely regal! The ground colour is a lively French 

 grey approaching to blue; with several transverse 

 white bands passing over the back and loins; a 

 copious mane, and deeply fringed, tricoloured dew- 

 lap, setting off a pair of ponderous, yet symmetrical, 

 horns, spirally twisted, and exceeding three feet in 

 length. These are thrown along the back, as the 

 stately wearer dashes through the mazes of the 

 * Strepsiceros Koodoo. Delineated in the African Views. 



