177 



THE IMPOOFO. 



Baselaphus oreas. SMITH. 



PLATE XIX. 



IN this animal there is a great resemblance to 

 some of the oxen. Its large size, its more clumsy 

 form, its heavy gait, and the large hairy dewlap, all re- 

 mind one of them. At present, the Impoofo is found 

 on the Karoo plains, in company with some of the 

 larger inhabitants and ostriches of these districts ; 

 though formerly it was so abundant in the Cape 

 colony, and so easily managed by a swift horse, that 

 the hunters would drive it in the direction of their 

 homes, and bring it down only when they thought it 

 convenient for their servants to carry it home.* 



These animals, Lichtenstein observes, are much 

 esteemed by the colonists for food. Hunting par- 

 ties are often made from some settlement, attended 

 with all the necessary apparatus, wagons to carry 

 home the spoil, &c. The meat is cut in pieces on 

 the spot, salted and packed in the skins, and some 

 of it is smoked. The great muscle of the thigh 



* Major Smith. 



M 



