1890.] MOUNTAIN-ANTELOPES OF CENTRAL CHINA. 93 



4. Notes on two Mountain-Antelopes of Central China. 

 By Dr. Augustine Henry ^. 



[Received February 3, 1890.] 



During my residence at Ichang on the Yang-tze and journeys 

 in its vicinity I met with indications of two species of Mountain- 

 Antelopes. 



The larger of these is known by the natives as the " Bright-maned 

 Antelope," " Mingtsung yang." North-west of Ichangthe mountain- 

 range, which divides the basins of the rivers Yang-tze and Han, at- 

 tains an altitude of over 9000 feet, and in parts is clad for the upper 

 3000 feet with coniferous forests. The Antelope roams in these woods 

 in small herds. Often when collecting plants we startled the animals 

 and could hear them on in front breaking through the brambles and 

 shrubs, and followed their freshly made tracks. I was never lucky 

 enough to see one, but I procured a skin, which measured a feet 

 long by 3| feet broad. In colour it is a darkish grey, and on the 

 neck there is a bristly mane, composed of greyish-white hairs about 

 5 inches long. The horns are about 8 inches long, curved backwards. 

 The animal is said to stand as high as a cow, and to yield, when killed, 

 about 100 to 150 lbs. of flesh. It is so large and strong that oc- 

 casionally when one is caught and tamed it is used for riding on. I 

 brought the skin to Pere Heude of Sikanei, who identified it as his 

 Capricornis argyrochceUis ^. 



The second, smaller Antelope occurs on the precipices of the gorges 

 and glens near Ichang. It is known as the " Shan-yang" or " Yhe- 

 yang-tzu" i. e. " Mountain-Goat " or " Wild Goat." Tere Heude 

 received a skull and skin from me, and has described it as Kemas 

 lienryanus. 



A live specimen from the Ichang gorge was obtained by one of the 

 steamer captains, and is now in the gardens at Zikawei near Shanghai, 

 i. e. at Pere Heude's establishment. 



This particular Antelope (or forms akin to it) occurs in nearly all 

 the mountains of the west and north of China ; i. e. in Szechueu, 

 Ilupeh, Shansi, Kansuh, Chihli, &c., and doubtless the Ichang one is 

 a marked variety of the species. 



The Ichang animal stands as high as a sheep. It occurs only on 

 precipices, and the obtaining of a live specimen in the case mentioned 



^ Extracted from letters received from Dr. Henry and communicated by the 

 Secretary. 



- [Capricornis arfft/rochcsftis,Tleude,'K6m. cone. I'llist. Nat. de I'Emp. Chinois, 

 ii. p. 4 (note). 



" Animal plus petit que le C. cdwardsi. Face rousse, criniere epaisse, blanc 

 sale ; pelage noir sciue de blanc. Tete osseuse couiprimee lateralement : pre- 

 molaire anterieure d'en bas mince, a talon ^leve et bien dogag6. Oette espece est 

 des montagnos du Tcbe-kiaug." 



In the same note is described another species from Tonquin, Capricornii 

 viaritimus. — P. L. S.] 



Proc. Zool. Soc— 1890, No. VIII, 8 



