310 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XXXV. 



has been described in an early chapter of my nar- 

 rative, as the animal that in all probability gave 

 birth to the figure of the fabulous unicorn. When 

 seen en irrofih, the long straight horns so exactly 

 cover each other, that the exis4ence of two might 

 almost be doubted ; and whilst rude delineations 

 in this posture have been discovered in many of 

 the Bushmen caves, the algazel, a corresponding 

 species in North Africa, is to be found similarly 

 represented on the sculptured monuments of ancient 

 Egypt and Nubia. The oryx is a powerful and 

 dangerou antagonist, charging viciously, and de- 

 fending itself, when hard pressed, with wonderful 

 intrepidity and address. Its skeleton has not un- 

 frequently been found locked in that of a lion — the 

 latter having been transfixed by its formidable horns, 

 in a conflict which has proved fatal to both the 

 combatants. 



With the ostrich,* a bird famous from the most 

 remote antiquity, and which was usually common 

 during our journey, I conclude my notice of objects 

 that especially interest the sportsman. Miserably 

 mounted as w^e were, any attempt to overtake this 

 most gigantic of the feathered race would have 

 been vain, but a shot could always be obtained at 

 arm's length by galloping to a point in the course 

 it had selected, and from which it rarely swerved. 

 The food of the ostrich is exclusively of a vegetable 

 nature ; it pastures in large troops, and evidently 

 constitutes the link between the birds and themam- 

 * Slrulhio Camelus. Delineated in the African Views. 



