THE DESERTS 31 



back-bent horns easily exceed 40 inches in length ; and, 

 in the Deserts of Dongola only, the Addax. 1 So reclusive 

 is addax that he places a waterless zone of some 200 

 miles beyond the outmost wells and his Saharan retreat 

 in other words, not his keenest admirer can hope for an 

 interview within less than ten to twelve days' camelry ; or 

 say, a fortnight's journey west of Dongola. There, in 

 sterile desert where rainfall is unknown and where the 

 atmosphere scorches like the breath of a furnace, this coy 

 creature abides stationary that is, he is guilty of no con- 

 siderable seasonal migration. The addax carries a fine 

 trophy, his koodoo-like horns exceeding a yard in length ; 

 but, though desert -hued, is not otherwise markedly 

 specialised for so inhospitable an environment, save for his 

 immensely broadened hoofs, adapted for traversing soft 

 sands. Somewhat mild and demure of aspect rather 

 recalling the reindeer in slouching gait and low-held head 

 the addax hardly bewrays the milder traits which his 

 personal appearances suggest. Once his remote retreat 

 is reached, his capture presents a less formidable problem 

 than does that of leucoryx farther south. It is not to 

 be inferred that addax surrenders at discretion far from 

 that ; yet it may be presumed that the man who has 

 set at naught the antecedent trials will hardly fail in the 

 final. 



To physical and geographical obstacles a charming 

 element of uncertainty is added by the liability of this No- 

 Man's- Land to raids by nomads from the borders of 

 Cyrenaiaca and Tripoli, as well as by the local Bedaiats, 

 whose ideals of universal brotherhood manifest themselves 

 in fly-away massacres of military outposts or unguarded 

 camps. The industry of these philanthropists periodically 



1 An apology is due for inserting even brief and condensed notes upon 

 two animals which I have not seen in their haunts. My sole excuse is that 

 both are very little known entire strangers, it is probable, to the bulk of my 

 readers ; while the notes themselves are based on most careful inquiry 

 made in anticipation of completing that personal acquaintance which 

 circumstances beyond my control have since frustrated. 



