THE GNOO. 



533 



and is there, under the popular name of the Antelope, an object of pursuit by bipedal and 

 quadrupedal hunters. Its scientific title is Aidilocapra americana. 



AMERICAN srRlSG-BUCK.-Antilocaiim americana. 



Op all the Antelopes, the Gnoo presents the most extraordinary conformation. At the 

 first sight of this curious animal, the spectator seems to doubt whether it is a horse, a bull, or 

 an Antelope, as it appears to partake nearly equally of the nature of these three animals. 



The Gnoos, of which there are several species, may be easily recognized by their fierce 

 looking head, their peculiarly shaped horns, which are bent downwards and then upwards 

 again with a sharp curve, by their broad nose, and long hair-clad tail. They live together in 

 considerable herds, often mixing with zebras, ostriches, and giraffes, in one huge army of 

 living beings. In their habits they are not unlike the wild cattle which have already been 

 described. Suspicious, timid, curious of disposition, and irritable of temper, they display these 

 mingled qualities in a very ludicrous manner whenever they are alarmed by a strange object. 



" They commence whisking their long white tails," says dimming, " in a most eccentric 

 manner ; then, springing suddenly into the air, they begin pawing and capering and pursue 

 each other in circles at their utmost speed. Suddenly they all pull up together to overhaul 

 the intruder when some of the bulls will often commence fighting in the most violent manner, 

 dropping on their knees at every shock ; then, quickly wheeling about, they kick up their 

 heels, whirl their tails with a fantastic flourish, and scour across the plain, enveloped in a 

 'cloud of dust." On account of these extraordinary manoeuvres, the Gnoo is called AVildebeest 

 by the Dutch settlers. 



The faculty of curiosity is largely developed in the Gnoo, which can never resist the 

 temptation of inspecting any strange object, although at the risk of its life. When a Gnoo 

 first catches sight of any unknown being, he sets off at full speed, as if desirous of getting to 

 the farthest possible distance from the terrifying object. Soon, however, the feeling of curi- 

 osity vanquishes the passion of fear, and the animal halts to reconnoitre. He then gallops in 



