352 



ANIMAL DEFENCES 



short time after, the stag came to bay upon firm open ground, 

 and fought the dog face to face. I saw Killbuck rush straight at 

 the deer's face, and instead of receiving the attack passively, the 

 deer quickly lowered his head, and not only met, but charged, the 

 dog, rolling him over, and following him up as he drove his sharp 

 tines deep into his body." 



The horns of Antelopes (fig. 502), Oxen, Sheep, and Goats, are 

 quite different from antlers, and have earned for these creatures 

 the name of " hollow-horned " Ruminants {Cavicornia). Many 

 female antelopes do not possess them, but in some species of that 

 group, and in the other animals mentioned, they are present in 

 both sexes, though always more powerful in the male. The 

 hornless or "polled" condition of certain races of cattle, sheep, 

 and goats is a result of domestication. The horns of these 

 various creature are epidermal structures, and consist of un- 

 branched hollow sheaths composed of the material indicated by 

 their name, supported by "horn cores", which are conical bony 

 outgrowths from the skull. Unlike antlers they are never shed. 

 Goats and Sheep defend themselves by butting with their horns; 

 Oxen, Buffaloes, &c., and at any rate some of the Antelopes, use 

 them for stabbing, or goring, to employ the word more specially 

 applicable. 



Horns commonly extend so far to the side, as in buffaloes, or to 

 the back, as in many antelopes, that they can only be used for side- 

 thrusts, which, however, may be very effective. Both in African 

 and Indian Buffaloes (in which latter the horns sometimes exceed 

 12 feet from tip to tip) part of the defensive tactics consists in 

 trying to force the enemy to the ground, either by "charging" or 

 "tossing " him. Should this move be successful, a combination of 

 goring and trampling generally polishes off the assailant. 



The Sable Antelope iyHippotragiis niger) is one of the most 

 powerful of his kind, the backwardly-curved horns being often 

 quite 3^ feet long in the male, though somewhat shorter in the 

 female. When attacked, this animal is said to lie down, apparently 

 inviting attack from behind. By lateral movements of the head 

 the horns can then be swept over the back, transfixing any foe 

 that has been rash enough to attack that part of the body. Selous 

 says: — "The sable antelope is often very savage when wounded, 

 and, like the roan antelope and gemsbok, will commit terrible 

 havoc among a pack of dogs. Indeed, I have known one to kill 



