654 



THE ORYX. 



peculiar property of retaining the moisture, the Water-Root. Only a very small portion 

 of the valuable plant appears above the ground, and the water-bearing bulb is so en- 

 crusted with hardened soil that it must be dug out with a knife. Several other succu- 

 lent plants also possess similar qualities, among which may be noticed a kind of little 

 melon which is spread over the whole of the great Kalahari desert. 



RESEMBLING the Gems-bok in many particulars, the Oryx can be easily distinguished 

 from its predecessor by the shape of the horns, which, instead of being nearly straight, 

 are considerably bent, and sweep towards the back in a noble curve. 



It uses these horns with as much address as its near relative the Gems-bok, and if it 

 should be lying wounded on the ground, the hunter must beware of approaching the 



ORYX. Oryx Leucoryx. 



seemingly quiescent animal, lest it should suddenly strike at him with its long and 

 keenly-pointed horns, while its body lies prostrate on the earth. Should it be standing 

 at bay, it is a very dangerous opponent, having a habit of suddenly lowering its head 

 and charging forward with a quick, lightning-like speed, from which its antagonist 

 cannot escape without difficulty. 



The color of this animal is grayish-white upon the greater part of its person, and is 

 diversified by sundry bold markings of black and ruddy brown, which are spread over 

 the head and body in a manner that can be readily comprehended from the illustration. 

 The height of the Oryx is rather more than three feet six inches, and the long curved 

 horns are upwards of three feet in length. These horns are set closely together upon 

 the head, from whence they diverge gradually to their extremities. These weapons are 

 covered with rings at their bases, but at their tips they are smooth and exceedingly 

 sharp. Their color is black. 



