THE CHAMOIS. 



211 



It uses these horns with as much address as its near relative the 

 gems-bok, and if it should be lying wounded on the ground, the hunter 

 must beware of approaching the seemingly quiescent animal, lest it 

 should suddenly strike at him with its long and keenly-pointed horns, 

 while its body lies prostrate on the earth. Should it be standing at 

 bay, it is a very dangerous opponent, having a habit of suddenly low- 

 ering its head and charging forward with a quick, lightning-like speed, 

 from which its antagonist cannot escape without difficulty. 



The color of this animal is grayish white upon the greater part of its 

 person, and is diversified by sundry bold markings of black and ruddy 

 brown, which are spread over the head and body. The height of the 

 Oryx is rather more than three feet six inches, and the long curved 

 horns are upwards of three feet in length. These horns are set closely 

 together upon the head, from whence they diverge gradually to their 

 extremities. These weapons are covered with rings at their bases, but 

 at their tips the^are smooth and exceedingly sharp. Their color is 

 black. 



Goat-like in aspect, and very hircine in many of its habits, tlie 

 Chamois is often supposed to belong to the goats rather than to the 

 Antelopes. 



It is, however, a true Antelope, and may readily be distinguished 

 from any of its relations by the peculiar form of the horns, which rise 

 straight from the top of the head 

 for some inches, and then sud- 

 jienly curve backward, so as to 

 form a pair of sharp hooks. In 

 descending a precipitous rock, 

 the Chamois is greatly aided by 

 the false hoofs of the hinder 

 feet, which it hitches upon every 

 little irregularity in the stony 

 surface, and which seem to re- 

 tard its progress as it slides 

 downward, guided by the sharp 

 hoofs of the fore-feet, which are 

 placed closely together, and 

 pushed well in advance of the 

 body. Thus flattened against 

 the rock, the Chamois slides downwards until it comes to a ledge 

 broad enough to permit it to repose itself for a while before descend- 

 ing farther. In this manner the active creature will not hesitate to 

 descend some twenty or thirty yards along the face of an almost per- 

 pendicular cliif, being sure to make good its footing on the first broad 

 ledge that may present itself. 



The Chamois {Rapicapm Tragus). 



