BOVIDsE 



335 



In the typical forms, such as the Bubaline Antelope (A. buba- 

 linus), the Harte-beest (A, caama, Fig. 137), and the Tora Antelope 

 (A. tora, Fig. 138), the horns, which present the peculiar curvature 

 shown in the figures, are situated on a crest at the vertex of the skull, 

 and the facial portion of the cranium is greatly elongated. The Harte- 

 beest, which is found throughout Central and Southern Africa, 

 stands nearly 5 feet high at the withers, and is a somewhat ungainly 

 looking animal, with short hair, which is grayish -brown above 

 and nearly white beneath. In the Pliocene of the Siwalik Hills in 

 Northern India there occur remains of an Alcelaphus (A. palceindicus) 



FIG. 13". The Harte-beest (Alcelaphus cacuiia). 



in which the skull had the long facial portion characteristic of the 

 typical group, while the horns approximate to those of the 

 Bontebok. The Blessbok (A. albifrons) and Bontebok (A. pygargus), 

 belonging to the genus Damalis of many authors, have the facial 

 portion of the skull shorter, the horns situated more in advance of 

 the plane of the occiput, and inclining regularly backwards. Of the 

 Blessbok Mr. C. J. Anderson observes that "it is of a beautiful 

 violet colour, and is found in company with black Wildebeests and 

 Springboks in countless thousands on the vast green plains of short 

 crisp, sour grass occupying a central position in South Africa. Cattle 

 and horses refuse to pasture on the grassy products of these plains, 

 which afford sustenance to myriads of this Antelope, whose skin 

 emits a most delicious and powerful perfume of flowers and sweet- 



