CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 9. RUMINANTIA. 537 



calm but resolute, presenting his well fortified head to the enemy. The lion cautiously changed 

 his position, descended to the plain, and made a circuit, obviously for the purpose of attacking 

 the gemsbok in the rear; but the latter was on the alert, and still turned his head toward his 

 antagonist. The maneuvering lasted for half an hour, when it appeared to the observers that the 

 cemsbok used a stratagem to induce the lion to make an assault. The flank of the antilope was 

 for a moment presented to his fierce assailant; as quick as lightning the lion made a spring, but 

 while he was yet in the air the gemsbok turned his head, bending his neck so as to present one 

 of his spear-like horns at the lion's breast. A terrible laceration was the consequence; the lion 

 fell back on his haunches and showed a ghastly wound in the lower part of his neck. He uttered 

 a howl of rage and anguish, and backed off to the distance of fifty yards, seeming half disposed to 

 give up the contest; but hunger, fury, or revenge once more impelled him forward. His second 

 assault was more furious and headlong ; he rushed at the gemsbok, and attempted to leap over 

 the formidable horns, in order to alight on his back. 



The gemsbok, still standing on the defensive, elevated his head, speared the lion in his side, 

 and inflicted what the spectators believed to be a mortal wound, as the horns penetrated to the 

 depth of six or eight inches. Again the lion retreated, groaning and limping in a manner which 

 showed that he had been severely hurt; but he soon collected all his energies for another attack. 

 At the instant of collision the gemsbok presented a horn so as to strike the lion immediately be- 

 tween his two fore-legs, and so forcible was the stroke that the whole length of the horn was 

 buried in the lion's body. For nearly a minute the two beasts stood motionless ; then the 

 gemsbok, slowly backing, withdrew his horn, and the lion tottered and fell on his side, his limbs 

 quivering in the agonies of death. The victor made a triumphant flourish of his heels, and 

 trotted off, apparently without having received the least injury in the conflict. 



The 0. Beisa, the Antilope Beisa of Riippel, resembles the gazelles, and is found in Abysinia. 

 The Water-Buck or Photomok, Kobus ellipsiprymnus, is seven feet long and four high ; the 

 horns are thick and heavy, and marked by twenty-four prominent annuli. The most distinguish- 

 ing mark of the species is a ribbon of pure white which passes over the croup and down each hip, 

 uniting between the thighs, and forming a perfect ellipse, having the root of the tail in one of its 

 foci, and contrasting most singularly with the dark, rusty iron-gray of the surrounding parts. It 

 is to this mark, which is so peculiarly cbaracteristic of the species, that the name of ellipsiprym- 

 nus refers. This animal is a native of South Africa. It receives the name of Water-Buck from 

 its habit, when alarmed, of rushing into and crossing very rapid rivers. It lives in small herds 

 on the banks of streams, and has not been known to occur south of 26° south latitude. The flesh 

 is not regarded as good for food, as it has a rank, pungent smell, and disagreeable taste. 



The Sing-Sing, Kobus Sing-Sing, differs in the tints of its coloring as well as the length of 

 its hair at different seasons of the year. The general color is reddish or yellowish-gray-brown ; 

 the belly and legs, end of tail and legs, from shoulder to hock, black. The females are graver 

 and have the belly and upper part of the legs paler. This animal is called Sing-Sing by all the 

 negroes. They do not think that their flocks will be healthy or fruitful unless they have a Sing- 

 Sing with them, just as a fancy is entertained by some persons in England for having a goat in a 

 stable. The English on the Gambia call it the Jackass-Deer from its appearance ; it is called 

 Koba and Kassimause by the negroes at Macarthy's Island. Its flesh is strong, and not pleasant 

 eating. 



The Leucoryx, 0. leucoryx, referred to by various writers under the names of the Milk-white 

 Antilope, the White Antilope, and the Algazel, is known to the Arabs by the names of Abuhard, 

 Jachmur, and Yuzmur, and to the Persians by that of El-Walrugh-el-Bukras. It is perhaps the 

 most celebrated of all the antilope genus, being the species which is generally supposed to have 

 given rise to the fabulous Unicorn of the ancients. It is, properly speaking, the Oryx of ancient 

 writers, but many modern authors have followed the example of Pallas in, bestowing that name 

 upon the Oryx Gazella. The horns are long, slender, and bent slightly backward. The general 

 color is milk-white, with some rusty-brown marks. It is gregarious, and feeds upon different 

 species of acacias, and is found in large herds in Sennaar, Nubia, and Senegal. It is frequently 

 -represented on the monuments of Egypt and Xubia, and particularly in the inner chamber of 

 Vol. I. — 68 



