VERTEBRATA : MAMMALIA. 719 



of which is unknown. The lachrymal sinuses, or " tear-pits," 

 have already been mentioned as occurring in the Cervida, and 

 are not found in any of the Cavicornia except the Antelopes. 



Fig. 412. Head of the Koodoo (Strepsiceros Koodoo). 



Each consists of a sebaceous sac placed beneath the eye, and 

 secreting a yellowish waxy substance. The function of these 

 glands is uncertain, but it is probably sexual. The Antelopes 

 are especially numerous, both in individuals and in species, in 

 Africa, in which country they appear to take the place of the 

 true Deer (only one species of Deer being indigenous to Africa). 

 Amongst the better-known African species of Antelopes are the 

 Springbok, Hartebeest, Gnu, Eland, and Gazelle. The only 

 European Antelopes are the Chamois (Rupicapra tragus), which 

 inhabits the Alps and other mountain - ranges of southern 

 Europe, and the Saiga of eastern Europe. Amongst the more 

 remarkable Antelopes may be mentioned the Prong -buck 

 (Antilocapra Americana) of N. America, in which there are 

 no accessory hoofs, lachrymal sinuses, or inguinal pores ; the 

 females have very small horns, and the horns of the male have 

 a snag or branch in front. The horn-core, however, is conical, 

 and does not extend above the snag. The horns are also very 

 remarkable for the fact that their sheath is annually shed, and 

 annually reproduced. Another curious form is the Chickara 

 (A. quadricornis) of India, in which the females are hornless, 

 but the males have four horns. 



The Sheep and Goats (Ovidce) have mostly horns in both 

 sexes, and the horns are generally curved, compressed, and 

 turned more or less backwards. The body is heavier, and the 

 legs shorter and stouter, than in the true Antelopes. In the 

 true Goats (Capra) both sexes have horns, and there are no 



