384 THE NYL-GHAU. 



point. The bluntness of these, together with 

 the form of its head and neck, might incline us 

 to suppose it was of the deer kind ; but, as it 

 never sheds its horns, it has a greater affinity to 

 the cow.* 



From the disposition of that brought over to 

 this country, which has been very accurately and 

 minutely described by Dr Hunter, their manners 

 are harmless and gentle. Although in its native 

 wildness it is said to be fierce and vicious, this 

 seemed pleased with every kind of familiarity, 

 and always licked the hand that stroked or gave 

 it bread, and never once attempted to use its 

 horns offensively: it seemed to have much de- 

 pendance on its organs of smell, and snuffed 

 keenly, and with noise, whenever any person 

 came within sight ; it did so likewise when any 

 food or drink was brought to it; and was so 

 easily offended with smells, or so cautious, that it 

 would not taste the bread which was offered 

 when the hand happened to smell strong of tur- 

 pentine. Its manner of fighting is very parti- 

 cular. It was observed at Lord Clive's, where 

 two males were put into a little enclosure, that, 

 while they were at a considerable distance from 

 each other, they prepared for the attack by fall- 

 ing upon their fore-knees, then they shuffled to- 

 wards each other with a quick pace, keeping still 



[* This animal, sometimes called the White-footed Antelope, is in height 

 four feet one inch to the top of the shoulders, and four feet long from the 

 bottom of the neck to the base of the tail. Its ears are beautiful, about seven 

 inches in length, and of a considerable breadth ; they are white on the edge 

 and on the inside, except where two black bands mark the hollow of the ear 

 with a zebra-like variety. The feet are barred* wiih black and white.] 



