THE GNU. 425 



they are lighter, and do not meet so closely over the forehead. 

 The animals can use these horns as weapons, if necessary, and 

 with considerable effect, for when wounded or forced in self- 

 defence to fight, they will turn, drop on the knees, and then 

 springing up, dart forward with amazing force and velocity. In 

 size the gnu equals a well-grown donkey, for it measures upwards 

 of four feet in height at the shoulder and attains a length of nearly 

 nine feet. The general colour of the white-tailed species is a deep 

 umber brown in the summer, but during the winter it darkens so 

 much that it approaches nearer to black. 



The karros of the Orange Free State, the Transvaal, and the 

 arid plains to the north and west adjoining, are the headquarters 

 of these animals. They are only to be found, however, south of 

 the Vaal river, for none have ever been reported as inhabiting the 

 country on the opposite shores. Mr. T. B. Buckley^ mentions 

 the fact that when Harris first entered the colony in 1836 he 

 found these animals in Graaf Reinet ; now, however, their numbers 

 are so much reduced by continued hunting that it is not till the 

 plains fifty miles south of the Yaal river are reached that they are 

 to be seen. 



The Dutch Boers convert the flesh into "beltong," and the 

 skins, which are valuable, formed one of the chief exports of 

 Watal ; but the supply is now falling off through the scarcity of the 

 animals, partly accounted for by the wholesale slaughter they have 

 suffered, and also to some extent due to an epidemic to which 

 they are liable, that at times creates great havoc among them. 



Gnus congregate together in numbers varying from eight or 

 ten to forty or fifty. These herds display considerable restless- 

 ness, for they are constantly on the move, migrating from one 

 part of the country to another. 



In disposition gnus exhibit some features common to the 

 American bison, for although they look savage and defiant, yet 

 they are in reality timid, and are very wary, so that the herds are 

 difficult to approach. . 



" It is very amusing," writes Mr. Buckley, " to watch the antics 

 of a herd when aroused or excited; when approached to within 

 ' See " Zoological Society's Proceedings," 1876. 



