THE GNOO. 187 



then bend forwards and downwards, and then sud- 

 denly upwards, are round and nearly smooth. The 

 muzzle is broad and developed, and Major Smith and 

 some others have observed a peculiar valve of a tri- 

 angular form, which opens and closes at pleasure. 

 On the brows and on the ridge of the face the hair 

 is very long and shaggy, and curves forward, and in 

 the whole aspect there is something fierce and rest- 

 less. The neck is furnished above with an ample 

 rigid mane, and on the lower part of the breast with 

 a long and hairy dewlap. The general colour is a 

 yellowish tawny, darkest on the back and legs ; the 

 tips of the mane, dewlap, and tail whitish. In the 

 old specimens the white of these parts disappear, and 

 are nearly black. The young are said to be white, 

 but the indications which have been received are 

 vague, as far as the species is described. 



The Gnoo is extremely swift and active, and while 

 not engaged in feeding, is sportive in manner, standing 

 to gaze at one time, and at the next moment wheel- 

 ing and scampering over the plains with immense ra- 

 pidity. We had an opportunity many years since of 

 seeing a specimen of this animal in Wombwell's Me- 

 nagerie, which was quite mild and tractable, and in 

 appearance, from the disproportionate fineness of the 

 limbs to the heavy looking body, did not seem to be 

 capable of the speed which is generally attributed to 

 it. It is remarkable that the cry of this animal is 

 somewhat like that of the bellow of a bull. 



This species is the smallest and most common of 



