240 



SEXUAL SELECTION : MAMMALS. 



[Part IL 



Bartlett informs inc that whon two of these animals pre- 

 pare for battle, they kneel down, with their heads between 

 their front legs, and in this attitude the liorns stand near- 

 ly parallel and close to the ground, with the points di- 

 rected forward and a little upward. The combatants 

 then gradually approach each other and endeavor to get 

 the uj)turned points under each other's bodies ; if one suc- 

 ceeds in doing this he suddenly springs "up, thro^\dng up 



Fig. 61. — Oryx leucoryx, male (from the Knowslcy Menagerie). 



his head at the same time, and can thus wound or per- 

 haps even transfix his antagonist. Both animals always 

 kneel down so as to guaixl as far as possible against this 

 manoeuvre. It has been recorded that one of these ante- 

 lopes has used his horns with effect even against a lion ; 

 yet, from being forced to place his head between the fore- 

 legs in order to bring the points of the horns forward, he 

 would generally be under a great disadvantage when at- 

 tacked by any other animal. It is, therefore, not probable 

 that the horns have been modified into their present great 

 length and peculiar position, as a protection against 

 beasts of prey. We can, however, see that as soon as 



