RUMINANTIA. 241 



with large covered nostrils ; and in size about equals a well grown 

 ass. The neck, body and tail, precisely resemblo those of a small 

 horse, and the pace also, which is a species of light gallop, is so 

 perfectly similar, that a herd of Gnoos, when seen at a distance, 

 flying over the plains of South Africa, " might be readily mis- 

 taken for a troop of the wild zebras, or quaggas, which inhabit 

 the same locality, if their dark and uniform color did not distin- 

 guish them." They are naturally wild and difficult to approach, 

 and when provoked very dangerous if wounded, turning upon 

 the hunter and pursuing him, dropping on their knees before 

 making an attack, and then darting forward with amazing force 

 and velocity. " When the hunter approaches the old bulls, they 

 commence whisking their long white tails in a most eccentric 

 manner; then springing suddenly into the air, they begin pranc- 

 ing and capering, and pursue each other in circles at their utmost 

 speed. Suddenly, they all pull up together, to overhaul the 

 intruder, when two of the bulls will often commence fighting in 

 the most violent manner, dropping on their knees at every shock ; 

 then quickly wheeling about, they kick up their heels, whisk 

 their tnils, with a fantastic flourish, and scour across the plain 

 enveloped in a cloud of dust." (Cumming's South Africa.) 

 They are said to be subject to a cutaneous eruption at particular 

 seasons of the year, which they sometimes communicate to do- 

 mestic cattle, and which invariably ends in death. Their flesh 

 is in good repute both among the natives and colonists. 



A. Caama. The LECAMA, or HARTE-BEEST. 



This species of Bovine Antelopes inhabit the plains of South 

 Africa, and are the most common of all the large Antelopes in that 

 country. They are of a gray-brown color; reside in large 

 herds ; and are much hunted by the natives and colonists. Their 

 pace resembles a heavy gallop, but yet is tolerably quick. In 

 their manners, they are mild and tractable ; but when put upon 

 their defence, they make good use of their powerful lyrate horns, 

 like the Gnoo, dropping upon their knees before charging, and 

 after advancing some distance in this position, suddenly darting 

 with great force against the hunter. The flesh is much esteemed, 

 being more like ox-beef than that of any other Antelope, except, 

 perhaps, the Eland. 



The Strepsicerae (twisted horns) is another small group refer- 

 red to in the " Penny Cyclopaedia," under the name of Antelopes, 

 and including some very interesting Ruminants. They are 

 named from the subspiral, or twisted form of their horns; and 

 distinguished among the "Hollow-Horned Bovine Ruminants," 

 by being marked with white stripes and spots. Agassiz has 



