1876.] DISTRIBUTION OF SOUTH-AFRICAN MAMMALS. 283 



8. /Epyceros melampus. (The Pallah.) 



This graceful Antelope occurs in all suitable localities, from the 

 Zulu country far into Equatorial Africa. In the winter it is found 

 in large herds ; but in the summer these generally break up ; and they 

 may often be seen in family parties of three — an old ram and doe, 

 and a young one. They seem to be fond of the vicinity of water, far 

 from which I never observed them ; when disturbed, they often 

 bound off like a Springbuck. The male alone has horns, which are 

 large for the size of the animal ; the skin is much used by the natives 

 for making karosses, at which the Bechuanas are very expert. The 

 Pallah is essentially a wood-loving animal, never being found in the 

 open country. Dr. Burchell seems to have been the first to make 

 this species correctly known ; in the second volume of his 'Travels,' 

 p. 301, he gives a description of one that was obtained near Kuruman, 

 where he first met with it. 



9. Nanotragus oreotraqus. (The Klipspringer.) 



The Klipspringer occurs in greater or less abundance throughout 

 the whole of South Africa. I met with them in the Matabili coun- 

 try, haunting the rocky mounds that rise up so suddenly from the 

 level ground, called "Kopjes" by the Dutch, generally in small 

 parties of three. Their hair, which is long and bristly, is much used 

 by the colonists for stuffing saddles. When alarmed at the foot of 

 a Kopje, they at once ascend to the top ; should, however, the hill 

 be a small one, they soon take off across the country if pursued. 



The Klipspringer does not invariably stay among rocks and high 

 ground, though it always remains close by, as on three occasions I 

 found them on the level ground at the foot of the stony rises that 

 are so common in the African bush. 



10. Nanotragus tragulus. (The Steinbock.) 



This species was very common after passing Pretoria, the capital 

 of the Transvaal, into the Matabili country ; it is found in the 

 Zulu and in Damara land, and seems spread through the whole 

 country south of the Zambesi. They live either singly or in pairs, 

 often in the driest situations, as they appear to require very little 

 water. 



One that I surprised suddenly in the sandy bed of a river lay close 

 like a hare in its form until it considered me too near, when it ran 

 off; they almost invariably stop, however, when they have gone a 

 certain distance — a habit which often leads to their destruction. 



The Steinbock feeds in the early morning, when it may often be 

 seen creeping among the bushes ; during the middle of the day it 

 lies in a sort of form, and does not stir again until evening. 



11. Cephalophus grimmia. (The Duiker.) 



The Duiker is met with through Natal and the Zulu country up 

 to the Matabili country, but is not mentioned by either Andersson or 

 Baines as occurring in Damara land. It is generally found in the 

 bush-country solitary ; when disturbed it rarely stands again, as a 



