THE SABLE ANTELOPE. . 541 



able, not even the native palate being proof against the rank flavor. The scent extends to the 

 skin, which exhales so powerful an odor that, when hunters were engaged in cutting off the head 

 of a Water Buck which they had killed, the scent was so strong as to drive them repeatedly 

 from their task. The color is brown, with the exception of a grayish-white oval patch round 

 the base of the tail. 



The specific term, ellipsyprymnus, is given to the animal in reference to this elliptical 

 mark. The female is without horns. The height of the adult male is about four feet six 

 inches, and Ms horns are rather more than thirty inches in length. 



The two species which are placed in the genns iEgoeerus bear a considerable resemblance 

 to the ibex in the formation of the homs, which are of very great dimensions, large at the 

 base, strongly ringed, and curved backwards towards the shoulders. The name iEgoeerus is 

 of Greek origin, and signifies Goat-haired, in allusion to the peculiar structure of these 

 appendages. 



The Blau-bok, or Blue Buck, as it is called, on account of the slaty-blue color of its 

 coat, is now a rather rare animal, although it was formerly common in many parts of Southern 

 Africa. 



It is a gregarious animal, living in little herds not exceeding ten or twelve in number, and 

 preferring hills and slopes to level ground. Like the preceding animal, it exhales a powerful 

 odor, which penetrates throughout its entire body, and which renders its flesh so unpalatable 

 that it is never eaten as long as other food can be obtained. It is a swift and active creature, 

 being remarkable for its speed even among the swift-footed Antelopes. There is a variety of 

 this animal, called the Docoi, which is found by the Gambia, and which is not quite of the 

 same color. The natives assert that the female never produces more than a single young one 

 during her lifetime, for that the mother's horns grow so rapidly after the birth of the offspring, 

 that they penetrate into her back and kill her. The Blau-bok is about four feet in height, and 

 the horns are nearly thirty inches in length. 



Although the blau-bok is a truly handsome example of the Antelopes, it is surpassed in 

 beauty by its congener, the Sable Antelope. 



This truly magnificent creature is found in Southern Africa, but is never seen near the 

 colony, as it is a very shy and crafty animal, and being possessed of great speed, is sure to 

 keep itself far aloof from civilization. Gordon Cumming" s description of this animal is as 

 follows : 



"Cantering along through the forest, I came suddenly in full view of one of the loveliest 

 animals which graces this fair creation. This was an old buck of the Sable Antelope, the 

 rarest and most beautiful animal in Africa. It is large and powerful, partaking considerably 

 of the nature of the ibex. Its back and sides are of glossy black, beautifully contrasting with 

 the belly, which is white as driven snow. The horns are upwards of three feet in length, and 

 bend strongly back with a bold sweep, reaching nearly to the haunches." 



It lives in herds of no very great size, consisting mostly of ten or twelve does led by a 

 single buck. As a general fact, the buck takes matters very easily, and trusts to the does for 

 keeping a good watch and warning him of the approach of an enemy. Owing to the jealous 

 caution of these female sentinels, the hunter finds himself sadly embarrassed when he wishes 

 to enrich his museum with the horns of their leader, and if any of them should happen to take 

 alarm, the whole herd will bound over the roughest ground with such matchless speed that 

 all pursuit is hopeless. In Captain Gumming 1 s well-known work, there is a most animated 

 'description of the proceedings of a herd of Sable Antelopes, and of the hunter's manoeuvres in 

 order to gain his point. 



In the native dialect, the Sable Antelope is known under the name of Potaquaine. It is 

 very tenacious of life, and will often make good its escape even though pierced entirely through 

 the body with several bullets. It therefore fully tests all the powers of the hunter, and he 

 who secures a specimen of an old male Sable Antelope may congratulate himself on possessing 

 one of the noblest trophies of which a sportsman can boast. 



