THE SASSABY. 



661 



a large nearly triangular white spot on the haunches, a black streak on the face, another 

 along the back, and a black-brown patch on the outer side of the limbs. It is a large 

 animal, being about five feet high at the shoulder. Being of gregarious habits, it is found 

 in little herds of ten to twelve in number, each herd being headed by an old male who 

 has expelled all adult members of his own sex. 



Not being very swift or agile, its movements are more clumsy than is generally the 

 case with Antelopes. It is, however, very capable of running for considerable distances, 

 and if brought to bay, becomes a very redoubtable foe, dropping on its knees, and charg- 

 ing forward with lightning rapidity. The Hartebeest is spread over a very large range 

 of country, being found in the whole of the flat and wooded district between the Cape 

 and the tropic of Capricorn. 



The BUBALE, or BEKKER-EL-WASH, of Northern Africa (Alcephalus Bubalis), belongs 

 to the same genus as the Hartebeest. It may be mentioned here, that the word " beest " 

 is employed by the colonists in the sense that it is used by British drovers ; so that 

 Wildebeest signifies " wild-ox " and Hartebeest " hart-ox." 



*VI 



SASSABY. Damans lanatus. 



The SASSABY, or BASTARD HARTEBEEST, as it is sometimes called, is by no means an 

 uncommon animal, although some few years ago it was only known through the means 

 of a mutilated skin. 



The general color of this animal is reddish-brown, the outer sides of the limbs being 

 dark, and a blackish-brown stripe passing down the middle of the face. Sometimes the 



