XXIII 



GAZELLES 



289 



A graceful antelope, the Impalla (or Palla), widely 

 distributed tlirouoii British East Africa, is common 

 in open bush and thinly wooded districts near water. 

 Its horns are ringed and lyrate : they spread evenly 

 and are only possessed liy the male and may attain a 

 length of thirty inches following the curve. The rings 



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(irant's Gazelle. The horns are favourite trophies: thej' are 

 lyrate, and often 24 inches and occasionally 30 inches long. 



on its horns are imperfect. There are tufts of black hair 

 at the back of the hind legs just above the foot. Each 

 tuft surrounds an area of bare skin which is usually 

 described as a gland. The impalla received the specific 

 name mehtrnpus in consequence of the black tufts on 

 its feet. A o-ood sized Ijuck will stand three feet at the 

 withers and weigh upwards of 150 pounds. Lions and 

 leoj^ards take a fair toll of these antelopes a,nd they a,re 



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