538 Snake-Eater of the Afghans. 



The horns of this noble species are approximate at base, 

 and rise from the crest of the skull on a level with the plane 

 of the face ; they diverge gradually from the base so as 

 to form the capital letter V. They are spirally twisted, 

 but differ much in the closeness of the volutions, some 

 turning round a straight and direct axis from the base 

 to the apex, others taking a wider or more circular spi- 

 ral sweep. 



I have one horn sawed off by the head, which was found at 

 Quettah, and presented to me by Col. Stacy, the measure- 

 ment of which is in direct length three feet six inches, or 

 measured along the volutions three feet eight inches ; the 

 tip of this is wanting, and the natives say that many exceed 

 it in length. The basal circumference is ten and one quar- 

 ter inches, and from the markings of increase, it is supposed 

 to have been eleven years old. 



Another specimen, which is said to be a young one, mea- 

 sures in direct length two feet three and half inches, 

 and nineteen and half inches between the tips, or mea- 

 sured spirally, two feet seven inches ; basal circumference 

 ten inches ; age eight years, from the markings. It is said 

 that when full grown, if the horns are placed with their 

 apices on the ground, they give room enough for a tall man 

 to pass through on his hands and knees. 



The colours of the male are very similar to those of the 

 female already noticed, but he possesses a long black beard, 

 which in her is wanting ; the colour of the upper parts is a 

 yellowish brown, yielding to greyish with age. Along the dor- 

 sal ridge is a narrow pale stripe, which is caused by the part- 

 ing of the hair, but dies out before it reaches the tail ; the fore- 

 part of the limbs are deep brown, of a chesnut hue, and the 

 tail is of the same colour ; the belly white. The hair on 

 the back of the neck is long. The tail is about six inches 

 long. 



In Elphinstone's Account of Cabul, he mentions an animal 



