Order 8. 



RUMINANTIA. 



127 



The Antelopes {Antilope, Lin.) — 

 Have the substance of the bony nuQjeus of the horn sohd, with neither pores nor cavity, Uke the 

 antlers of the Stags. They also further resemble the Stags iu possessing infra-orbital sinuses, in the 

 slenderness of their fonn, and speed of foot. They compose a very numerous genus [consisting now 

 of more than seventy well-ascertained species], which we have been compelled to subdivide principally 

 after the shape of the horns. 



a. Horns anr.ulated, with a double curvature ; the points forwaril, or inward and upward, [in other words, annu- 

 lated and lyrated ; also placed forward on the head, above the eye : the muzzle and around the nostrils hairy. 

 This is the most characteristic section of the genus, and the species composing- it may be distinguished by the 

 term Gazelles.'] 



The Numidian Gazelle (A. dorcas^lAn.). — Round, thick, and black horns, with the size and graceful shape 

 of the Roe : pale fulvous above, white below ; a brown band along each flank, a tuft of hair on each knee, 

 and a deep pouch on each groin. Inhabits the north of Africa in innumerable herds, which form a circle when 

 attacked, presenting horns on every side. Is the ordinary prey of the Lion and the Panther. The soft expression 

 of its eye supplies the Arabic poets with many images. 



[To this division belong also the A. etichore, Kevella,* Bennetiii, arabica, corinna, Soemmeringii, mhorr, dama, 

 ruficollis, melampus, axiApygargus, which last seems to tend through A. caama, bubahis, &c., to the Gnus. The 

 author likewise include? A. giitturosa, Pallas, the Hoang-yang or Yellow Goat of the Chinese, herds of which 

 inhabit the arid plains of Central Asia, and the A. saiga. Pal., or Coins of Strabo, a European animal, indigenous 

 to the south of Poland and Russia] ; it is as large as a Fallow Deer, and fulvous in summer, whitish-grey in 

 winter. Its cartilaginous, thick, and vaulted muzzle, with very expanded nostrils, obliges it to retrograde in 

 feeding. The herd sometimes consists of more than ten thousand individuals. [We are inclined to approximate 

 to the Saiga a remarkable species from Northern India, the Chiru (A. Hodgsoni, Abel) ; it is somewhat less than 

 the Fallow Deer, of a whitish colour, with the face and front of the limbs black ; horns nearly straight, or but slightly 

 lyrated, and remarkably long and slender, rising abruptly from the forehead. Among the true Gazelles, may be 

 particularly noticed the Springer, or Spring-bok (A. euchore) of the Cape colonists, so celebrated for occasionally 



visiting, durin? seasons of d)ought, the cultivated lands 

 of South Afiica in innumerable herds, which devastate 

 wherever they pass.] It is larger than the Numidian 

 Gazelle (A. dorcas), and nearly of the same form and co- 

 lour ; is distinguished by a fold of skin on the crupper, 

 clothed with long white hairs, which opens and enlarges at 

 every bound the animal takes. [The A. ISoeinmeringn is 

 still larger, and of a delicate pale bulf-yellow or nankeen 

 colour, the hairs singularly disposed in zig-zag patches, 

 imparting a peculiar waved appearance.] 

 b. Horns annulated, and with a triple [spiral] curve. 

 The Indian Antelope (.4. ceri'ica;»ra,Lin.). — Still very like 

 the Gazelles, but the horns have a triple flexure. [Colour 

 variable, black or different shades of brown, relieved with 

 white around the eyes,and below: this animal is remarkable 

 for the great developement of its infra-orbital cavities]. 



Fig. 57.— Spriug.bok. 



The Addax, or Nubian Antelope (A. addax, Licht.).— Also three curves to the horns, which are larger and more 

 slender than those of the preceding : it is whitish, tinged with grey on the back, and has a large brown spot on 

 the forehead. [There are horns in both sexes, as in 

 most of the foregoing : this animal seems to be allied 

 rather to A. strepsiceros, pertaining to a subsequent 

 section.] 



c. Horns annulated, with a double curve, but winding 

 in an opposite direction to those of the preceding, 

 the points directed backward ; the Damalis of H. Smith, 

 in part. 



The Bubalus of the ancients (A. bubalus, Lin.).— More 

 heavily formed than the others ; the head [very] long 

 [and the eyes situate remarkably backward] : size of 

 a Stag, and yellowish-brown, except the end of the 

 tail, which is terminated by a black tuft. A common 

 species in Barbary. The^. caama, or Harte-beeste of the 

 Cape colonists, [and ^. lunafa,] range in this division. Hg. 58.— Addui. 



[These animals have much the aspect of a small Cow, and inhabit the more sterile regions of Afiica in small 

 herds, headed by an old male. They are easily domesticated.] 



* Tile .4. subgutturosa, Gni. 

 wider the throau 



rem&rks the author, has not been preteitdocl *** differ fr*^ -4. fCevrlla. further than in having a stight iwelUnff 



