270 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



v| ' . Methods of taking the gnu. 



practise them with astonishing dexterity. They 

 sometimes form deep pit-falls, in the places they 

 are known to frequent at night, over which is 

 hung a kind of raft formed of large piece> of 

 timber, which, immediately on the animal's de- 

 scent, covers the pit completely, without which 

 precaution, owing to his superior agility, he 

 could easily effect his escape. His enemies in 

 the morning surround the place, draw the raft a 

 little aside, and quickly dispatch him with their 

 spears and arrows. 



During the day time, it is impossible for the 

 hunters to attack them collectively ; and it there- 

 fore becomes necessary, by various methods of 

 fire and loud shouts, to detach some of them 

 from the main herd ; prior to which, they adopt 

 the stratagem of fixing strong ropes with a run- 

 ning noose, wherever they find two trees near 

 enough together, to answer their purpose. 

 Through these passes the pursuers endeavour to 

 urge the stragglers, who frequently, in the rapi- 

 dity of flight, are caught in the snare, with such 

 a sudden jerk, as to occasion their immediate 

 death. 



THE BLUE ANTELOPE. 



THE skin of this animal, according to Sparr- 

 man's account, is of a fine blue, resembling vel- 

 vet; but, when dead it changes to a bluish-grey 



