THE NYL-GHAU, OR SLUE OX. 29 



being those of a Wild Horse rather than of an Antelope. Their favourite pace appears to be either a 

 steady quick walk or a trot ; they rarely break into a gallop unless greatly alarmed. When frightened 

 they dash off, sometimes snorting and putting their heads down, as if charging, raising their long tails, 

 and looking very formidable. They are wary animals, though far less so than some other Antelopes. 

 It is said that they frequently attack when wounded, and their long, straight horns are most deadly 

 weapons. " 



Of the Gemsbok, Captain Harris tells us that it "is about the size of an Ass, and nearly of the- 

 same ground colour, with a black list stripe down the back and on each dank, white legs variegated 

 with black bands, and a white face, marked with the figure of a black nose-band and head-stall, im- 

 parting altogether to the animal the appearance of being clad in half-mourning. Its copious black 

 tail literally sweeps the ground ; a mane reversed, and a tuft of flowing black hair on the breast, with 

 a pair of straight, slender horns (common to both sexes) three feet in length, and ringed at the base, 

 completing the portrait." The resemblance between the Gemsbok, when seen from the side view,, 

 and the Unicorn of heraldry, is sufficiently striking to make it more than probable that the con- 

 ception of the latter originated in the former. 



The author just quoted says of the Blaubok, or Roan Antelope, by which name it is also known,, 

 that it "is an inhabitant of the elevated downs and ridges about the source of the river Limpopo [foui" 

 degrees to the west of Delagoa Bay, and a little north of it], and being utterly destitute of speed, may 

 be ridden to a standstill without difficulty. . . . It is heavily built, and has an upright mane, 

 long asinine ears, and robust scimitar-shaped horns." 



CHAPTER III. 



ARTIODACTYLA : RUMINANTIA BOVID2E (Conclude^ . OXEN, PRONGHORN ANTELOPE, 



MUSK [DEEK], AND GIRAFFE. 



THE NYL-GHAU Description Habits THE MUSK Ox Difficulties in associating it Distribution Habits THE Ox 

 Chillingham Wild Cattle Their Habits Domestic Cattle The Ceilings, Booth, and Bates Strains American 

 Breeding Shorthorns, and other Breeds Hungarian Oxen Zebu Gour Gayal Curious mode of Capturing 

 Gayals Banting THE BISONS Description European Bison, or Aurochs Almost extinct Caesar's description of 

 it American Bison Distribution Mythical Notions regarding it Their Ferocity and Stupidity "Buffalo" Flesh 

 THE YAK Habits THE BUFFALOES Varieties Description Fight between two Bulls THE ANOA THE PROXG- 

 HORN ANTELOPE Peculiarity as to its Horns and Skull Professor Baird's and Mr. Bartlett's Independent Discovery 

 of the Annual Shedding of the Horns Habits Peculiarity about its Feet Colour Difficulties as to its Position 

 THE MUSK [DEER] Its Perfume Where is it to be placed? Description Habits Hunters for the Perfume 

 Their Sufferings THE GIRAFFE Peculiarities Skull processes Its Neck Habitat Running power Habits 

 Hunting. 



THE NYL-GHAU, OE BLUE OX.* 



THIS is the largest of the Antelopine animals found in India, the adult male standing over four 

 feet in height at the shoulders, which are at a considerably higher level than the haunches. The 

 female is about one-third smaller than her consort, and without horns, which in the male are but short, 

 rarely exceeding nine inches in length, and rising perpendicularly from the head. Each horn is black, 

 smooth, angular, and turned slightly forward, ending in a sharp point. 



The body colour of the male is a slate blue, darker about the head and under parts of the 

 body, whilst the legs are black ; the female is tawny-red ; the aged bull is nearly black. A short 

 mane runs along the neck and over the highest part of the shoulder, in which latter situation it 

 is of greater length. There is a considerable tuft of dark hair hanging from the middle of the front 

 of the neck, over six inches in length, which is situated just below a conspicuous white, anchor-shaped 

 throat-patch, the shank of which runs up between the two halves of the lower jaw almost to the 

 l:p. On each cheek also there is a circular white spot below and behind the eye. A transverse 



* Portax picta, 

 99 



