305 



SPKING-BOK. 



Gazclla cnchore. 



The Spring-bok, or Springer Antelope, is a very beau- 

 tiful and graceful creature. It inhabits the Cape and 

 southern parts of Africa in rather considerable numbers. 

 It is still numerous within the boundaries of the colony, 

 and is fairly abundant on the Great Karroo, and Great 

 Bushman land ; in the former country the herds consist 

 of 25,000 to 30,000 animals. 



The Spring-bok is about 2 feet in length, and is 

 beautifully marked. The general colour of the back is 

 a delicate light brown, terminating in a dark brown 

 horizontal stripe on each side ; beyond this the belly is 

 pure white. There is a ridge of long, white, bristly 

 hairs, from 3 to 4 inches long, running along the 

 hinder part of the back. The tail is black. The horns 

 are short, ringed, and curved inwards like a lyre. 



The Spring-bok derives its name from its power of 

 leaping. One mode of hunting these animals is to 

 drive them towards the sportsmen. 



Some 10,000 skins or more are imported annually. 



Many skins are made into excellent glove-leather, and 

 a few are manufactured into robes. The price of good 

 skins is about 9d. per lb., amounting to al)0ut Is. 3d. 

 per skin. 



