214 VERTEBRATA. MAMMALIA. 



see in it as much of the Horse as of either. " The 

 horns approximated and enlarged at the base, like 

 those of the Cape Buffalo (Bos Coffer), descend and 

 turn up at the point ; the muzzle is large, flat, and 

 surrounded with a circle of projecting hair ; under 

 the throat and dewlap is another black mane."* Thus 

 far the Ox. "It has the body and croup of a small 

 Horse, covered with brown hair; the tail furnished 

 with long white hairs, like that of the Horse, and on 

 the neck a beautiful straight mane, the hairs of which 

 are white at the base, and black at the tip."* Mr. 

 Steedman having shot a Gnu (C. Gnu) that had 

 fallen into a chasm, takes occasion to say, "The 

 Gnu is about the size of a full grown Ass. The 

 neck and tail precisely resemble those of a small 

 Horse, and its pace, which is a species of light gal- 

 lop, is so perfectly similar, that a herd of Gnus, when 

 seen at a distance scampering over the plains of 

 South Africa, might be readily mistaken for a troop 

 of Zebras or Quaggas, which inhabit the same lo- 

 calities, if their dark and uniform colour did not 

 distinguish them. They live in numerous herds, are 

 naturally wild and difficult of approach, and when 

 wounded, will turn upon the hunter and pursue him, 

 dropping upon their knees before making an at- 

 tack, and then darting forward with amazing force 

 and celerity. "When first alarmed they fling up 

 their heels, and caper like a restive horse, tossing 

 their heads and tails, and butting at the mole hills, 

 or any other object that may happen to be in the 

 * Cuvier. 



