190 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



the nose, temples, cheeks, neck, upper arm, and lower part 

 of the thigh to the joint, and the white over the shoulders, 

 back, flanks, and croup : there is a very slight indication 

 of black above and beneath the eye, but a broad pure white 

 streak descends on each side of the forehead before the 

 inner canthus of the eyes, to the corners of the mouth ; the 

 nostrils and legs are white, as also the reversed mane, and 

 the tail, including the tuft, the extremity alone being 

 blackish ; the edge of the buttocks, down the houghs, and 

 the anterior part of the thigh, the belly and legs, are like- 

 wise of a white colour ; the ears are shorter than in the 

 preceding, and white. This description is taken from the 

 beautiful specimen in the Museum of Frankfort, whither 

 it was sent, as we understand, by M. Ruppel, from the 

 interior of Western Nubia, being shot at some days jour- 

 ney's distance from the Bahar el Abiad. 



This species or variety is probably the iKn, Toa or Tao 

 of the Hebrews and Egyptians ; it is found portrayed in the 

 hieroglyphic representations in the tombs of the kings, and 

 seems to be also the species designated by the Tuarics 

 and Tibboos near the great desert south of Tunis, as a 

 small white buffalo, swift and fierce when wounded, noticed 

 by Captain Lyon. The Dante or Lant of Congo, figured in 

 De Bry's collection, and described as of the stature of a 

 small ox, sub-rufous in colour, vigilant, active, and bold, 

 is perfectly applicable, and the notice of Leo Africanus still 

 more so. He represents it as a species of ox, but smaller, 

 with more elegant horns and legs ; of a white colour and 

 with black hoofs; so exceedingly swift, that a Barbary 

 horse alone may overtake it : more easily caught during 

 the summer heats, because the hoofs wear on the burning 

 sands and impede its speed. We must remark here that 

 the references to the size of cattle in Central Africa are 

 arbitrary, several breeds being small. The colours of 

 rufous and white are both applicable to the animal, and 



