362 



MAMMALIA — GNU. 



upon their knees ; and in this attitude they approach, and when they are 

 sufficiently near, spring and dart at each other with great violence. 



In a state of confinement they often fall into that posture without doing 

 any mischief. They will, notwithstanding, attack mankind unprovoked. 

 A laborer, who was looking over some pales which inclosed several of them, 

 was alarmed by one of them flying at him with the quickness of lightning ; 

 but the wood-work which separated him from the animal, was the means 

 of his safety, as it dashed it to pieces and broke off one of its horns close to 

 the root. The death of the animal, which happened soon after, was suppos- 

 ed to be owing to the injury it received from the blow. 



In the days of Aurungzebe, they abounded between Delhi and Lahore, on 

 the way to Cachemir ; and they were once objects of chase with that 

 mighty prince, during his journey. They were inclosed in nets by his army 

 of hunters, which, being drawn closer and closer, at length formed a small 

 space ; into this the king, his omrahs, and hunters, entered, and killed the 

 animals with arrows, spears, or muskets ; and sometimes in such numbers, 

 that Aurungzebe used to send quarters as presents to all his great people, 

 Avhich proves that they are esteemed as good and delicious food. 



THE GNU.i 



The gnu is one of the swiftest beasts that ranges the plains of Africa. 

 Mr Barrows says, "The various descriptions that have been given of it, all 

 differing from each other, should seem to have been taken from report rather 

 than from nature, notwithstanding that one of them was for some time in 



' AntUope gnu, Gmel. 



