300 



BOVINE ANTELOPES ; NYL-GHAU, ADDAX, GNU. 



these, such as the Nyl-ghau of India, are closely allied to groups 

 among the true Antelopes ; whilst others have nothing of the 

 Antelope in form or appearance, and approach the Oxen much 

 more nearly. In general they are distinguished by their massive 

 contour, large size, and powerful limbs; the head is usually 

 large, the horns thick and solid, the eyes small, and the neck 

 short and thick. The Nyl-ghau is a magnificent species, standing 

 upwards of four feet in height at the shoulder ; it resides in the 

 dense forests, either alone or in pairs ; and it is a resolute and 

 powerful animal, turning and defending itself against its pursuers 

 with great fury, and not being tamed down by confinement. It 

 is, however, the common prey of the Tiger. The Addax is a 



Bovine Antelope of 

 Africa, living solita- 

 rily or in pairs, on 

 the borders and oases 

 of the deserts, which 

 occupy a large part of 

 the centre of that con- 

 tinent. It is rather 

 heavily made ; and 

 its hoofs possess re- 

 markable breadth, to 

 pass more easily over 

 the fine and loose sand. The last species at present to be noticed, 

 the Gnu, is a very remarkable one, on account of the singular 

 mixture of characters which it presents. The head and horns 

 are those of a Buffalo ; and the eyes are large, wild, and 

 expressive of a savage and vindictive disposition. The neck 

 with its mane, the tail, and the general contour of the body, 

 resemble those of the Horse ; whilst the well-turned and vigorous 

 legs remind the observer of the Stag or Antelope. The chin and 

 throat are covered with a sort of shaggy beard ; while a full 

 mane flows down from the chest between the fore limbs. The 

 action and gallop of the Gnus are so much like those of the 

 Horse, that a troop of them, seen scouring the plain at a 

 distance, might easily be mistaken for Zebras or Quaggas, if it 





FIG. 153. AEDAX. 



