33 o HOOFED ANIMALS 



where the tall grass and reeds afford plenty of cover. The 

 animals always make for the water when disturbed. It is a 

 peculiarity of the Water Antelopes that as long as they can 

 bottom the water they do not attempt to swim, splashing 

 along in a series of bounds. Not infrequently they stand 

 in water up to the tops of their legs, cropping the aquatic 

 plants. The Sing-Sing (Cobus defassa) is a rather smaller 

 animal exactly similar in habit, but with long, silky hair. 



ELAND ( Taurotragus oryx) . 

 Coloured Plate XXII. Fig. 2. 



The Eland, or Impoofo, is the largest of the Antelopes. 

 Standing nearly six feet high at the shoulders and with a 

 length of nine feet, it is more heavily built than any other 

 of the Antelope family, equalling in bulk the domestic ox. 

 The Central African variety is pale fawn in colour, but that 

 of South Africa is a bright yellow tan, as shown in the illus- 

 tration ; in old age, however, the colour may darken to 

 bluish grey. 



The Eland possesses a well-marked dewlap, which is 

 fringed with black hair similar to that of the short mane ; 

 the tail, two and a half feet in length, is well tufted with 

 brown hair. From the head, light, graceful, and bony, 

 project two strong, straight horns, usually a couple of 

 feet in length ; they are twisted in an open spiral. At one 

 time herds of from fifty to a hundred animals were common, 

 but except in the more remote districts it is now limited to 

 small parties. It is doubtful if any specimens remain in 

 Cape Colony, Natal, Orange River Colony, and the Trans- 

 vaal ; but it is fairly common in Nyassaland and the Kili- 

 manjaro region. 



The flesh of the Eland is very tender, even when fresh 

 killed; the skin is highly valued for many purposes, and the 

 marrow is one of the greatest dainties for which a hunter 

 can wish. The animal quite commonly weighs twelve 

 hundred pounds, while old bulls will approach two 

 thousand pounds ; these heavy animals are rather easily 

 ridden down. At one time this Antelope was introduced 



