THE STORY OF THE ANTELOPE. 



341 



PALA OR ROY-BOCK. 



The pala or roy-bock is an inhabitant of Southern Africa, where it is seen 

 in large herds. It is a remarkably fine animal, measuring three feet in height 

 at the shoulder, and being gifted with elegantly shaped horns and a beauti- 

 fully tinted coat. The general color of the pala is bay, fading into white on 

 the abdomen, the lower part of the tail, and the peculiar disc of lighter-col- 



SOUTH AFRICAN BOSCH BOCK. 



ored hairs which surround the root of the tail in so many antelopes. Its 

 specific name, Melanipus, is of Greek origin, signifying black-footed, in allu- 

 sion to the jetty hue of the back of its feet. 



The horns of this animal are of considerable length, often attaining to 

 twenty inches, and are rather irregular in their growth. They are very dis- 

 ti/^ctly marked with rings. 



