424 WILD ANIMALS. 



The Gnu (Gatoblepas gnu), or white-tailed guu, for there is 

 another variety of this species known as the brindled gnu 

 {Gatohlepas gorgon) is an antelope of the desert, and belongs to a 

 sub-group of equine antelopes. The name gnu is the one given 

 it by the Hottentots, but to the Dutch settlers it is known as the 

 " wildebeest," i.e., wild ox. 



Owing to their peculiar appearance, naturalists are divided in 

 opinion respecting their true zoological position ; and although they 

 are generally classified as antelopes, some maintain they belong to 

 the ox family (Bovidce), and others that they are a distinct species, 

 forming the connecting link between these two great divisions. 



The name Gatohlepas, which comes from two Greek words mean- 

 ing " down-looking," by which these animals are known in natural 

 history, was given originally by -^lian to a beast of terrific aspect 

 inhabiting Africa, which scientists now identify with the gnu. 



Its aspect can hardly be called terrific, however, still it is a 

 fantastic-looking creature, and has been aptly described as a beast 

 made up of different parts of other animals. The head is con- 

 sidered to somewhat resemble a bison's, the body, crupper, and 

 tail, those of a small horse, while the sHght and slender legs are 

 certainly shaped hke the stag's. The pace of the gnu, which is a 

 light gallop, is so similar to the action of the equidce, that a troop 

 of them flying over the plains, even if seen only a short distance 

 away, can easily be mistaken for quaggas or wild asses. 



The eyes of the gnu are somewhat ferocious in aspect, and 

 lowering ; the muzzle is broad, flat, and surrounded by a circle of 

 stiff projecting hairs. The neck is ornamented with a thick and 

 flowing mane, and the throat, beneath the chin, and the dewlap 

 are also supplied with an abundant growth of bushy black hair. 

 The tail reaches nearly to the ground, and is more or less creamy 

 coloured. 



The horns are peculiarly shaped, for they are broad at the base 

 and approximate so closely on the forehead that they nearly cover 

 it, in this way resembling to some extent the horns of the Cape 

 buffalo. From the base they curve downwards, slightly outwards, 

 and then bend suddenly upwards, so that the tips are erect, in 

 fact are hook-shaped. Both sexes have horns, but in the females 



