THE ELAND. 21 



those of the Keedbuck [Reitbok], while the habits and general appearance of both species are almost 

 identical. Both frequent thickets and reedy places near water, and are principally found in pairs or 

 small groups. The hair of the species [of Water-buck] inhabiting Eastern Africa is very long and 

 coarse, though that of the one found in Central Africa [the Sing-Sing] is remarkably soft, and is highly 

 prized bv the natives as being so." ^ n 



The REH-BOK of South Africa, "though almost approaching a Fallow Deer in size, more nearly, 

 says Mr. Drummond, " resembles a Chamois in other particulars ; indeed, it has been called the 

 African Chamois, and so far deserves the title, that it certainly possesses many of the characteristics 

 and habits of the European species decidedly more so than any other of the Antelope genus found 

 in South Africa, with the exception of the Klipspringer. Their colour is light grey, the hair being 

 somewhat long and coarse, and the horns are straight [bent forwards at the tips], and by no means 

 unusually large for the animal's size. They are never found but on the bare hills, among rocks and 

 stones, and their powers of springing are wonderful. It seems extraordinary how their delicate limbs 

 escape injury, when they take bound after bound like an indiarubber ball, in places that a Cat would 

 shudder at." According to Major C. H. Smith, it is an animal of great swiftness, moving with won- 

 derful rapidity by lengthened stretches, close to the ground, so as to seem to glide over the desert like 

 a mist driven by the winds, and, favoured by the indistinct colours of the fur, is immediately out of 

 sight. The Bushmen and western tribes [of South Africa] make lance-heads, awls, and other tools of. 

 the horns, and occasionally cloaks of their skins for the women." 



THE ELAND* 



This fine species attains to the size of an Ox, the bull standing six feet and a half at the withers. 

 Attempts have within the last few years been made to breed it in England for the sake of its flesh, 

 which is as good as the best beef. It is, however, found to be impossible to get the price sufficiently 

 low for market purposes. Two varieties are known, one of a pale fawn colour from Central Africa ? 

 the other, from South Africa, of a bright yellow tan colour, marked transversely with narrow white 

 lines, about fifteen in number, running from a black line which goes along the back, to the belly. 

 These marks are present in all young individuals, and disappear or fade considerably in the adults. 

 The full-grown bull has a broad tuft of lengthy slight brown hair on the forehead, between and in 

 front of the horns, which are situated some distance behind the eyes, being straight, a foot and a 

 half in length, and at their bases carrying a thick and conspicuous screw-like ridge which extends 

 in some cases nearly to their ends. In the females the horns are never quite so large as in the 

 males. A large dewlap hangs from the throats of the bulls, whilst a dark, short inane continues from 

 the forehead backwards. The tail is about two feet and a quarter in length, with a large tuft of 

 brown hair at its end. 



According to Captain "W. Cornwallis Harris, " in size and shape the body of the male Eland resembles 

 that of a well-conditioned Guzerat Ox, not unfrequently attaining the height of nineteen hands, and 

 weighing two thousand pounds. The head is strictly that of an Antelope, light, graceful, and bony, 

 Avith a pair of magnificent straight horns, about two feet in length, spirally ringed, and pointed back- 

 wards. A broad and deep dewlap fringed with brown hair reaches to the knee. The colour varies 

 considerably with the age, being dun in some, in others an ashy blue with a tinge of ochre ; and in 

 many also sandy-grey approaching to white. The flesh is esteemed by all classes in Africa above 

 that of any other animal ; in grain and colour it resembles beef, but is better tasted and more 

 delicate, possessing a pure game flavour, and the quantity of fat with which it is interlarded is 

 surprising, greatly exceeding that of any other game quadruped with which I am acquainted. The 

 female is smaller and of slighter form, with less ponderous horns." 



When writing on the hunting of these creatures, known in South Africa as the Impoqfo, the same 

 author remarks that, "notwithstanding the unwieldy shape of these animals, they had at first greatly 

 exceeded the speed of our jaded horses, but being pushed they soon separated ; their sleek coats 

 turned first blue and then white with froth ; the foam fell from their mouths and nostrils, and the 

 perspiration from their sides. Their pace gradually slackened, and with their full brilliant eyes 

 turned imploring towards us, at the end of a mile, each was laid low by a single bullet." 



Oreas canna. 



98 



