328 HOOFED ANIMALS 



animal ' thrives and attains high condition in barren regions 

 where it might be imagined that a locust would not find 

 subsistence. From my own observation and the repeated 

 reports both of the Boers and the aborigines, I am con- 

 vinced it never by any chance tastes water.' This applies 

 with equal truth to many Antelopes that roam arid regions. 

 The animals require moisture, which they procure from 

 various succulent plants that collect and retain whatever 

 moisture the atmosphere affords. They are chiefly bulbous 

 plants, one of which is known as the water-root. 



The Gemsbok is far less fleet than many of its kind, and 

 it is frequently run down by means of horses and dogs. 

 When in extremity the animal is a dangerous foe, for it 

 lowers its head to the ground and strikes right and left with 

 wonderful rapidity. Even a lion has been killed by the 

 Gemsbok, being received on the sharp points of the horns 

 and pierced through the breast. The Gemsbok's neck was 

 broken by the shock, and so both animals were killed. 



The Oryx proper (Antilope oryx) differs but little from the 

 foregoing, except that it is six inches less in height, and its 

 horns, instead of being straight, are bent back into a fine 

 curve. It is resolute and dangerous if hard pressed, and 

 when the dogs surround it, not infrequently several will be 

 wounded before the hunters can come up. It uses its horns 

 with amazing address and adroitness, and with such violence 

 as to keep a whole pack at a safe distance. 



Differing in only a few trifling particulars is the smaller 

 Beatrix Antelope (Oryx leucoryx), Plate XXXIII. Fig. 2. 



EQUINE ANTELOPE (Hippotragus equinus). 

 Coloured Plate XXI. Fig. 2. 



Very closely allied to the oryx are the Roan and Sable 

 Antelopes. The Roan, or Equine Antelope of Central South 

 Africa, is typical of practically any animal included in the 

 genus. It is a handsome beast, standing nearly five feet 

 high at the shoulders. The colour of the hair varies con- 

 siderably ; usually it is more or less roan, but sometimes it 

 is dark grey or brown. Some brown and white markings on 



