TIIE SPRING-BOX. 15 



outwards, turn at their tips more outward and also forward. The speed of the Gazelle, like that 

 of most of its allies, is very great ; its eyes are large and lustrous, and its general colour a rich 

 yellowish-brown. 



The PERSIAN GAZELLE stands twenty-six inches. Its body colour is grey fawn colour, the 

 breast and abdomen being white. Of its habits, Major St. John says that, " like the wild Ass, it 

 especially affects the neighbourhood of the salt deserts. It appears to retire generally to the valleys at 

 the base of hills to breed, and is most commonly seen in small parties of three to half a dozen. The 

 fleetest Greyhound cannot come up with the Gazelle when it gets a fair start ; but when suddenly 

 roused from a hollow, or when the ground is heavy after rain, good Dogs will often pull down males. 

 The does are more difficult to catch." 



SOEMMERRING'S GAZELLE stands two feet and a half high. The body colour is sandy fawn above ; 

 the horns are massive and lyrate, more slender in the female. It lives in pairs, and is a powerful 

 species. 



The horns of GRANT'S GAZELLE are larger than in any other of the species. 



The SPRING-BOK derives its name from the habit it has of leaping straight up in the air for 

 several feet when alarmed or whilst running. Its height is two feet and a half. The horns are 

 lyrate, being very small in the females. Its colour is yellow dun, with the under parts, as usual, 

 white. A peculiar white line along the middle of the back can be varied in extent within certain 

 limits by the animal at pleasure. Major C. Hamilton Smith, when writing of this species, tells us 

 that it assembles in South Africa in vast herds, " migrating from north to south and back 

 ~with the monsoons. These migrations, which are said to take place in the most numerous form 

 only at the interval of several years, appear to come from the north-east, and in masses of many 

 thousands, devouring, like locusts, every green herb. The Lion has been seen to migrate and walk 

 in the midst of the compressed phalanx, with only as much room between him and his victims as 



