360 MAMMALIA—NYL-GHAU. 
the base. The head is ratner large, resembling that of an ox; and the eyes 
are placed very high. The general color of this animal is a dark cinnamon, 
except the rump and inner part of the thighs, which are white. The front 
of the head is marked with black, as is likewise the fore part of the legs. 
There isa pore about an inch below each eye, from which a matter is 
distilled; this the Hottentots preserve as a rare and valuable medicine. 


The large head and high forehead, together with the asinine ears and tail 
of this animal, render it less handsome than many of the tribe of antelopes. 
They associate in great herds; and although they seemingly gallop with a 
heavy pace, yet they run as fast as any of the larger kinds; and when they 
have once got ahead of their pursuers, they are very apt to turn round and 
gaze at them. Like the wood antelope and nyl-ghau, this animal drops 
on its knees to fight. The flesh is fine, and of an agreeable flavor, but dry. 
THE NY L-GHA Us 
Most of these interesting animals, which have been brought to England, 
have been obtained from Surat or Bombay ; and it is conjectured that they 
are indigenous in the province of Guzerat. The nyl-ghau is larger than 
any ruminant of that country, except the ox, it being of greater size than 
toe deer, and rather smaller than the black cattle; and in its form there is 
a very evident mixture of both. Its horns are seven inches long, six inches 
round ai tne roots, tapering by degrees, and terminating in a blunt point, 
the ears are large and beautiful, and spread to a considerable breadth: they 



1 Antilope picta, Desm. Nyl ghau, the Persian name of this animal, signifies blue 
cow. 
