CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 9. RUMINANTIA. 543 



and in continual motion ; and the horns forming a complete spiral of two or three turns, wrinkled 

 at the base, distinctly annulated in the middle, and smooth for a couple of inches next the points. 

 The old males are nearly black above and white beneath. In their flight these animals outstrip 

 the greyhound ; they leap over heights of twelve and thirteen feet, and pass over ten and twelve 

 yards at a single bound. They reside on the open plains, where they can see to a great distance 

 in every direction, live in large families of from five or ten to fifty or sixty grown females to a 

 single male, and when they feed, or lie down to ruminate, detach a number of the young bucks 

 to a distance of two hundred or three hundred yards on every side to watch over the common 

 safety. Nothing escapes the notice of these careful sentinels ; every bush or tuft of grass that 

 might be suspected to conceal an enemy is strictly and attentively examined, and on the first alarm 

 the whole herd betakes itself to flight, following closely in the footsteps of an old buck, and is 

 soon beyond the reach of pursuit. The venison is dry and unsavory, and being held in small es- 

 teem, consequently holds out little inducement either to the occasional sportsman or to the pro- 

 fessional hunter. 



This species extends over every part of India, from the borders of Persia to the most eastern 

 parts of which Europeans have any distinct knowledge. Some naturalists hold that it exists in 

 Africa. It frequents rocky, open plains, but avoids woody localities and the thick cover of the 

 forest. The fakirs and dervishes of India polish the horns and form them into a kind of offensive 

 arms by uniting them at the base ; these they wear at their girdles instead of swords and daggers, 

 which their vows and religious character prevent them from using. 



The Mohr or Mhorr, G. Mohr, is four feet two inches long, and two feet six inches high. The 

 horns are round, annulated, and bent forward at the tips. The general color is yellowish-red ; 

 beneath, white. It is a native of Western Africa. The species is not found in the empire of Mo- 

 rocco, but individuals are occasionally brought thither from the opposite confines of the desert; 

 the animal is much sought after by the Arabs on account of producing the bezoar-s tones so highly 

 valued in eastern medicine. These stones are commonly called in Morocco Baid-el-Mhorr, or 

 Mhorr^s Eggs. 



The Abyssinian Mohr, G. Soemmeringii, is considerably larger than the gazelles we have de- 

 scribed ; the horns are irregularly lyrated, and marked with fifteen or sixteen rings ; the upper 

 parts are a beautiful yellowish dun-color ; beneath, they are pure white. It frequents hills of moder- 

 ate ascent in the eastern provinces of Abyssinia, and lives in pairs. 



The Nangcer — the Antilope dama of Pallas — was originally described and figured by Buffon 

 from materials brought by Adanson from Senegal : since that time the animal has not been seen 

 by any naturalist, and as the description of Buffon is imperfect, doubt may be entertained whether 

 it be not in reality the young of the Mohr. 



The Andra, G. ruficollis — the Antilope ruficolUs of Smith — is a beautiful species of Eastern 

 Africa. The length is five feet four inches, its height three feet. The horns are precisely simi- 

 lar to those of the Mohr already described, as are likewise the general form and proportions of 

 the body. It is gregarious, and resides in flocks on the desert between Nubia, Dongola, and 

 Kordofan. 



The Korin, G. rufifrons, is of a bay-brown color, the sides above paler. 



The Ciiikara, Tragops Bcnnettii — the Antilope quadricornis of Blainville — called Ravine-Deer, 

 Goat- Antelope, Kalsiepie or Black-Tail, is of a bay-brown color, and has the end of the nose and 

 tail black ; the face streaked : chest, belly, and inside of the limbs, white ; the feet black or brown. 

 It is found on the rocky hills of the Deccan, and differs from many other antilopes in not being 

 gregarious, there being rarely more than three or four found together in the same company, and 

 not unfrequently one is found alone. 



The Ahu or Jairou, G. subguUurosa,\s of a pale-brown color above and white beneath; It 

 ,inhabits all the central parts of Asia, Persia, Daiiria, the country around Lake Baikal, and from 

 the eastern limits of Great Bucharia to the shores of the Hellespont. It associates in extensive 

 nocks, frequents the open plains and naked hills of moderate elevation, and feeds principally upon 

 the Absinthium Pontieum. The flesh is much esteemed. 



The Bastard Harte-Bekst or Sassaby, the Antilope lunata of Burchell, is of a rufous glau- 



