AXD SOME ANTELOFES OF AXGOLA. 319 



Comparative nieasurements in millimetres of skulls of the 

 thi-ee species taken from the B.M. Coll. (N.H.). 



iiiger. variani. equinus. 



Gmitest length 438 (= 17^ 475 (= 18| 470 (= 18^ 



inches). inches). inches). 



breadtii 162 162 179 



Sinnnnt of orbits to base of 



horn pedicles 51 41 43 



Length of nasals 164 203 178 



„ „ pveniaxillas 120 164 132 



Width across maxillary flanges. 60 71 Co 



„ of mesopterygoid fossa. 24 16 29 



Length from anterior angle of 

 mesopterygoid fossa to end of 



premaxiliie 235 275 257 



Length of upper tooth-row 112 122 132 



In comparing skins of nige?- with those of variani, the most 

 striking difterences are found in the females, for whereas in the 

 males of the latter a greater intensification of colour is shown, in 

 the females the colour is quite distinct. 



In true Sable the prevailing colour of the females is a sombre 

 brow)i, very old examples becoming almost as black as the males, 

 but of a more rusty hue. In variani the females are of a brilliant 

 golden-chestnut colour, and never assume the black livery of the 

 males. A very old female may develop a deeper chestnut hue, 

 Imt there is no suggestion of black, as is seen in young males 

 while still in an adolescent stage. 



General I)escri2'>tion of H. variani. 



Male. A massive upstanding Antelope, almost as large as equinus 

 but not so high in the leg. The foreface is long and narrow, the 

 forehead not so high and prominent as in niger, with immense 

 horns rising perpendicularly from above the eyes and curving back- 

 wards in an individually variable arc. There is usually a wide 

 outward sweep towards the tips; more rarely the horns are 

 parallel throughout their length. They are much compressed 

 laterally, with very strong annulations, A section through them 

 taken 8" above the base measures roughly 34" X 2". The annu- 

 lations have a tendency to become obliterated on their lateral 

 surfaces centrally, especially on the inside. Grood horns may 

 measure 58", with girth 10|" ; but a length of 64" has been 

 I'ecorded . The unannulated terminal portion is generally straight. 

 For this reason, coupled with their perpendicular rise from the 

 frontals, the ends of the horns, when the animal is standing erect, 

 do not as a rule curve downwards, but are carried more or less 

 parallel to the line of the back. 



The ears are comparatively small in fully adult males. In 

 voung males and in the females the ears are larger. 



The neck is full, short, massive, oval in section, and wedge- 

 shaped from above downwards. The mane, which is full and 



