THE NEEL.-GHAU. 185 



whenever any person came within sight; it did so 

 likewise when any food or drink was brought to it, 

 and was so easily offended with a smell, or so cau- 

 tious, that it would not taste the bread which the 

 Doctor offered, when his hand had touched oil of 

 turpentine or spirits.* 



The Neel-Ghau is hunted in Persia in the fa- 

 vourite manner of pursuing large game in the 

 east. " The animals are enclosed with large nets, 

 which are gradually brought towards each other, till 

 they encompass only a small space. Into this the 

 king, omerahs, and hunters enter, and kill them at 

 pleasure, either with arrows, short pikes, sabres, or 

 muskets, and sometimes in such quantities, that the 

 king is enabled to send a portion of them in presents 

 to all the omerahs. "f 



* Philosophical Transactions. 



f Voyages de Franjois Bernier, ii. p. 225. 



