THE PLAINS OF AFKICA. 153 



great enemy; for on these wild plains, the leopard 

 prowls about seeking for prey. Man will some- 

 times capture the zebra, and try to make it a 

 beast of burden. If it is taken very young, such 

 a thing has been possible ; but, except in rare in- 

 stances, the zebra will rather die than be a captive. 



On this expansive plain many objects of interest 

 present themselves. Here are all the different 

 kinds of antelopes. 



Yonder little creature, like a goat, is the small- 

 est of the race. It is called the spring-bok, or 

 springing-goat. Its long shining hair is of a 

 beautiful cinnamon colour, while the lower part 

 of the body is a snowy- white. 



The horns spread backwards in a curve, and 

 then bend inwards at the points. 



The spring-bok has two folds of skin, in the 

 middle of its back, that reach to the tail. When 

 the creature is at rest the folds are not seen, and 

 appear of the same colour as the back. But if it 

 is excited, and begins to take its marvellous leaps, , 

 the folds expand, and show a broad patch of the 

 purest white. These springing- antelopes herd 



