608 UNGULATA. 



horns are straight, and spirally twisted. The old males have a strong 

 musky odor. Their food consists of the fragrant herbs which cover the 

 plains. They require very little water, living without it for months, even 

 when the herbage is so dry that it crumbles in the hand. 



The heavy build of the Eland renders it an easy prey to the hunter, 

 who can run it down by a steady pursuit. A heavy Eland will weigh 

 over a thousand pounds ; the fat around the heart alone weighs fifty 

 pounds. The flesh is cut off as soon as the animal is killed, dried, or 

 salted, then packed in skins for future consumption. The fat is made 

 into candles, and the hide cut up into thongs. The flesh is like beef, but 

 has an unpleasant taste when fresh, which it loses when smoked. The 

 " Bil tongues " are eaten raw, and are a great delicacy. They consist 

 of the tongue cut out its whole length, slightly smoked, and sliced very 

 fine. 



The Eland has a wide range. It is abundant near the Cape of Good 

 Hope, and is not uncommon on the White Nile. Its favorite haunts are 

 the grassy plains, where clumps of mimosas rise up like islands in a sea. 

 It is occasionally, however, found in mountainous districts. The herds 

 usually consist ot eight or ten animals, and at a distance may be mistaken 

 for cows grazing. Some walk slowly about, others bask in the sun, 

 others lie chewing the cud in the shadow of the mimosa-shrubs. In 

 going to pasture they follow in close order the guidance of an old male, 

 and trot at a good pace. Elands have been brought to Europe, where 

 they have propagated, and many of them may be seen in the parks oi 

 wealthy land-owners. They are, however, such large feeders, that the 

 expense of keeping them destroys all hope of profit. 



A species called the Striped Eland has been shot in Southern 

 Africa, Except in the color, it resembles perfectly the common Eland. 



GENUS TRAGELAPHUS. 



The animals comprised in this genus are classed in eight genera. 

 They are of graceful form, and attain the size of the Roe Deer. The 

 head is slender, the eyes large, the ear large and broad. Only the males 

 have horns, which are slightly spiral, and set in a line with the face. 

 The hair is thick, and forms a ridge along the spine. The hide is dap- 

 pled, and curiously marked in the different species. 



