348 



THE STORY OF THE ANTELOPE. 



THE BLESSBOK. 



The blessbok and the closely-alhed bontebok, are smaller South African 

 antelopes. In both species the horns are compressed, with the rings strongly 

 marked. For a short distance they run almost parallel, and then curve 

 backwards. Their usual length is about 15 inches. Both species are charac- 

 terized by their brilliant purple-red color, and the broad white "blaze" down 



A WATER BUCK. 



the face, from which the blessbok takes its name. In height the blessbok 

 stands about 3 feet 2 inches or rather more at the withers, but the bontebok 

 may reach from 3 feet 2 inches to 3 feet 1 1 inches. 



The blessboks resemble the smaller springbok in manners and habits. 

 They dififer from the latter in the determined and invariable way in which 



