186 



SOUTH AFRICAN MAMMALS 



and true hoofs. It has the hind quarters higher than 

 the fore, giving it rather an ungainly appearance. Horns 

 curved outwards for the lower half, and the tips bent 

 sharply forwards. They are ringed nearly to the tips. 

 Length about 28 inches. Eecord length 34| inches. 

 Length of head and body 6 feet ; tail 10 inches. Height 

 38 to 40 inches. The male has a thick bull-like neck 

 and a short podgy head. 



Pig. 99. — Lechwes feeding. 



The Lechwe ranges from Lake Ngami northwards to 

 Lake Mweru and is a water-loving Antelope, inhabiting 

 those low-lying tracts of open grass country which are 

 often flooded from the low-banked rivers. It is often found 

 half immersed in the water, feeding upon reeds, rusbes 

 and other water plants in the lagoons, reedbeds, &c. 

 It swims well, and when hunted by the natives is driven 

 into deep water and assegaied. The skin of the female 

 Lechwe is the national dress of the Mashukulumbwi 

 women. It consorts in herds of varying number, and 

 Selous once counted fifty-two rams in one herd, with 

 not^^a single ewe amongst them. It breeds in October 



