314 EGYPTIAN ANTELOPE. 



dilates into a patch or spot at some distance above 

 the feet : the tail is brown, covered with slightly 

 flowing black hairs resembling in some degree 

 those of a horse's tail : the length of the tail from 

 base to tip is about two feet and a half: the hoofs* 

 and horns are black : the hair under the throat, 

 along the ridge of the back, and over the shoulders, 

 is longer and rougher than in other parts. 



This species is said to be found in Egypt, Ara- 

 bia, about the Cape of Good Hope, &c. It is 

 also supposed to occur in India. It is considered 

 by the Africans as a very dangerous animal, the 

 form and sharpness of the horns rendering it a 

 very formidable adversary ; and, like others of 

 this genus, when it makes its attack, it bends 

 down the head, and rushes forward with great 

 violence, thus presenting the points of its sharp 

 and long horns immediately forwards. The Hot- 

 tentots, when they have wounded it, are said to 

 be careful of approaching it till they are well as- 

 sured that it is totally deprived of life. 



The length of a skin of this animal, measured 

 by Mr. Pennant, was above six feet six inches ; 

 by which we must understand from the tip of the 

 nose to the end of the tail. 



* The shape of the feet differs in some degree from that of other 

 Antelopes; each segment or division of the hoofs being of the 

 figure of a very long isosceles triangle ; whereas in most other clo- 

 ven-footed quadrupeds it is nearly of the form of an equilateral 

 triangle. This configuration of the feet, it is pretended, gives the 

 animal a greater degree of strength or security of foot than most 

 nthcrs. 



