WEAPONS OF ANIMALS 167 



pons, a habit which is indulged in also by the 

 gemsbok antelope. 



The horns of the hartebeests are peculiar inas- 

 much as the extremities are turned backwards at a 

 right angle to their general alignment ; while those 

 of the white-tailed gnus or wildebeests are equally 

 curious, for in the adults they bend downwards and 

 outwards from their bases and then turn abruptly 

 upwards. 



The prongbuck, although generally designated 

 by the name * antelope,' reveals several unique 

 characters which entitle it to be classified as the 

 sole representative of a separate family. Its up- 

 standing horns, for instance, are much flattened at 

 their sides, and resemble the antlers of a stag be- 

 cause of the tine-like protuberance which arises 

 about midway along the front surface of each one. 

 But a more extraordinary feature in connection 

 with those appendages is that, unlike those of all 

 other antelopes which are of a permanent nature, 

 they are shed annually, the new ones commencing 

 their growth under the sheaths of the old horns, and 

 attaining to a length of several inches before the 

 latter are discarded. 



The giraffes are other animals which possess 

 curious horns upon their heads. They are common 

 to both sexes, commence their development and 

 appear above the surface of the head before the 

 creatures are born, and each one is composed of 

 bone, covered with skin, which at first has no con- 

 nection with the bones of the skull, although ulti- 

 mately uniting thereto. 



