524 



THE GAZELLE. 



the eyebrows, are either simply conical or are bent so as to resemble the two horns of the 

 ancient lyre, and are therefore termed "lyrate" in technical language. 



The well-known Gazelle is found in great numbers in Northern Africa, where it lives in 

 herds of considerable size, and is largely hunted by man and beast. 



Trusting to its swift limbs for its safety, the Gazelle will seldom, if ever, attempt to resist 

 a foe, unless it be actually driven to bay in some spot from whence it cannot escape ; but pre- 

 fers to flee across the sandy plains, in which it loves to dwell, with the marvellous speed for 

 which it has long been proverbial. The herd seems to be actuated by a strong spirit of mutual 

 attachment, which preserves its members from being isolated from their companions, and 

 which, in many instances, is their only safeguard against the attacks of the smaller predaceous 



GAZELLE.— GazeUa dorcas. 



animals. The lion and leopard can always find a meal whenever they can steal upon a band of 

 Gazelles without being discovered by the sentries which watch the neighborhood with jealous 

 precaution, for the Gazelles are too weak to withstand the attack of such terrible assailants, 

 and do not even attempt resistance. 



If, however, the insidious foe is detected by the eye or scent of the sentinel, his chance of 

 a dinner is hopeless for a while. The alarm is instantly given by the animal whose acute 

 senses have discovered the near presence of the dreaded enemy, and the whole herd imme- 

 diately take to flight, skimming over the ground with such wondrous rapidity that neither 

 lion nor leopard would be able to overtake their flying steps. 



When opposed by less formidable enemies, the Gazelles can bid defiance to their assailants 

 by gathering themselves into a compact circular mass, the females and the young being placed 

 in the centre, and the outer circle being composed of the males, all presenting their horns 

 towards the intruder. They then form a dense phalanx of sharply pointed weapons, arranged 

 on strictly military principles, and being the prototype of the spear-phalanx of ancient war- 

 fare, and the ' ' square ' ' of more modern tactics. 



