526 



THE SPBING-BOK. 



that yawn to receive them. One after another falls into the pit, and in this manner they perish 

 by hundreds at a time. 



A very similar kind of trap, called the Hopo, is employed in Southern Africa, the walls of 

 the inclosure being formed of trees and branches, and terminating in the pit of death. At the 

 widest part the walls are about a mile asuuder, and their length is about one mile. The pit. at 

 the extremity is guarded at its edges with tree-trunks, so as to prevent the sides from being 

 broken down by the struggling animals in their endeavors to escape, and the plan is so suc- 

 cessful, that sixty or seventy herd of large game are often captured in a-single week. 



The flesh of the Ariel Gazelle is highly valued, and is made an article of commerce as well 

 as of immediate consumption by the captors. The hide is manufactured into a variety of 

 useful articles. The Ariel is a small animal, measuring only about twenty-one inches in height 



SPRING-BOK.— Antilope euclm-e. 



at the shoulder. The Jairott, or common Gazelle of Asia, which is so celebrated by the 

 Persian and other Oriental poets, is ascertained to be a different species from the Dorcas, and 

 may be distinguished from that animal by the general dimness of the marking, and the dark 

 brown streak on the haunches. It is also known by the name of Ahu, and Dsheren. Several 

 other species are now known to belong to the genus Gazella, among which we may mention the 

 Mohe of Western Africa, the Andra of Northern Africa, and the Koein, or Kevel, of 

 Senegal. The latter animal possesses no tufts of hair upon the knees. There is one animal, 

 the Ciiikara, or Bavine Deer of India, which is worthy of a passing notice, because it is by 

 some authors supposed to belong to the Gazelles, and by others to form a separate genus, as is 

 the case with the arrangement of the British Museum. This animal is also known under the 

 titles of Choitka, Goat Antelope, and Kalsiepie, or Black-tail. 



The Speing-bok derives its very appropriate title from the extraordinary leaps which it 

 is in the constant habit of making whenever it is alarmed. 



As soon as it is frightened at any real or fancied danger, or whenever it desires to accelerate 

 its pace suddenly, it leaps high into the air with a curiously easy movement, rising to a height 

 of seven or eight feet without any difficulty, and being capable on occasions of reaching to a 



