ANTELOPES. 



295 



inches at the withers, and still higher at the rump. Allied to this is the dama 

 gazelle (G. dama), from the Sudan, with relatively short lyrate horns, and no dark 

 band on the flanks. Another fine species is the aoul (G. soemmerringi), inhabiting 

 the lowlands of Somaliland, and also found in Abyssinia and the Sudan. In the 

 swift gazelle the length of the horns may be 12 inches ; while in the aoul or 

 Soemmerring's gazelle this varies from about 12 to upwards of 19| inches. The 

 height of the latter species at the shoulder is about 30 inches. It is characterised 

 by its very massive lyrate horns, marked with about eighteen rings, and may be 

 distinguished from the dama by its longer ears, bordered with black externally, 

 and the more strongly-defined and nearly black markings on the face. This is 

 the finest of the Somaliland gazelles ; and was formerly found in small herds close 

 to the shore. 



CLARKE'S ANTELOPE. 

 Genus Ammodorcas. 



Nearly allied to the true gazelles is a remarkable antelope (Ammodorcas 

 clarkei), recently discovered in Somaliland, 

 which serves to connect the preceding with the 

 following species. Clarke's antelope, while 

 having the facial markings of the gazelles, is 

 distinguished by the regular upward and for- 

 ward curvature of the rather short horns, which 

 are ringed in front at the base. The females 

 are hornless ; and the skull is intermediate 

 between that of the gazelles and the under- 

 mentioned gerenuk. The neck is very long, 

 and the tail thin and long. The number of 

 rings on the horn varies from five to ten. 

 The general colour is a deep cinnamon, darker 

 than in any of the true gazelles. These ante- 

 lopes appear to be local in Somaliland, but are 

 said to be common in parts of the interior. Mr. 

 Clarke states that when running they throw 

 the tail upwards and forwards, and at the 

 same time incline the long neck backwards, so 

 that the two look as if they would touch each 

 other. It is locally known as the dibatag. HEAD OF CLARKE'S ANTELOPE. After Thomas. 



THE GERENUK. 

 Genus Lithocranius. 



Still more remarkable than the preceding is the gerenuk, or Waller's gazelle 

 (Lithocranius walleri), which is also an East African species, ranging from 

 Somaliland to the Kilima-Njaro district. The most peculiar external feature about 



