296 



FAMILY ANTELOPIDJE ; ANTELOPE TRIBE. 



form and swiftness of foot of the animals composing it, contains 

 more than seventy well-ascertained species, bearing a strong 

 general resemblance to each other ; these are diffused through 

 the warmer parts of the globe, the principal part being natives 

 of Africa, a few species inhabiting Asia, a still smaller number 

 being found in America, and only two, the Chamois and the Saiga, 

 at present residing in Europe. The horns, of which the persist- 

 ence distinguishes them from the Deer, are composed of a solid 

 bony core, which is covered with a horny sheath ; this consists 

 of fibres analogous to those of whalebone, or rather hair, running 

 longitudinally or spirally, and agglutinated into one uniform 

 mass. One species has four horns. (Fig. 150.) Among the 



true Antelopes, the family 

 ikeness is extremely strong ; 

 and it is not easy to find 

 characters sufficiently defi- 

 nite for subdividing the 

 group ; but many hollow- 

 horned Ruminants, for 

 which no other place could 

 be found in other families* 

 have come to be associated 

 with this ; so that it pre- 

 sents a rather incongruous 



assemblage. For the sake of perspicuity, the family may be 

 divided into four sub-families ; True Antelopes, Bush Ante- 

 lopes, Capriform (Goat-like) Antelopes, and Bovine (Ox-like) 

 Antelopes. Each of these will be separately, though briefly, 

 considered. 



265. The True Antelopes are remarkable for the graceful 

 symmetry of their bodies, the length and slenderness of their 

 limbs, and the lightness and agility of their movements. In 

 fleetness, indeed, there are few if any animals that can approacli 

 them by speed of foot ; the greyhound unaided cannot overtake 

 them ; and stratagem is necessary, therefore, in hunting them. 

 They mostly prefer the open plains ; seeking refuge in moun- 

 tain fastnesses, only when they are alarme'l. One of the most 



FIG. l. r >0. FOUR HORNED ANTKLOPK. 



