XXII 



HORNS 



285 



but this species is more common in 

 Somaliland, where the male oryx is 

 hunted especially for its hide, for this 

 is particularly thick over the withers 

 and is used on this account for the 

 manufacture of Somali shields. 



Chapman witnessed a fight between 

 two oryx bulls at Baringo where these 

 antelopes are plentiful, and states 

 that they " sparred with their rapier- 

 like horns, each seeking to gain the 

 other's flank." He succeeded in shoot- 

 ing the victor ; the hide was scarred 

 with wounds from a score of fights, 

 and in the skin of the neck, which 

 was nearly two inches thick, Chapman 

 found an encysted bullet. The hide 

 of the cow in the same situation is 

 comparatively thin. When a herd of 

 oryx antelopes is traversing tall grass 

 their long horns produce an appear- 

 ance not unlike a regiment of soldiers 

 marching with fixed bayonets. 



The natives of Ethiopia in their 

 arts and crafts make good use of 

 material derived from the horns and 

 skins of antelopes. The hides furnish 

 them with a covering for their bodies, 

 shields and drum-heads. Useful 

 thongs are cut from the hides of 

 elands to tether and bind cattle. The 

 sheath of the kudu's horn and of the 

 marshbuck make excellent trumpets 

 and the convolutions emphasise the 

 sound. Blasts from such trumpets 

 can be heard afar, in warfare, and on 

 ceremonial occasions ; or to call the 

 people together, to guide them when 



Horn Sheath of the 

 Greater Kudu. The 

 Masai use it as a 

 trumpet when they 

 move their kraal so 

 that no one shall 

 lose the way. 



