Sept. 7, 1888.] 



SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 



225 



natural f#t*tora^ 



THE GORGONA ANTELOPE. 



A MONG the numerous and varied family of the ante- 

 **■ lopes, there is one group differing widely in ap- 

 pearance from the rest, and presenting at first sight 

 almost the characters of a monstrosity. This group 

 belongs to the southern part of the African continent, 

 and includes the common and the brindled gnu (Cato- 

 blepas gnu and Catoblcpas gorgon), or gorgona, which we 

 are about to describe. Both these species have a head 

 and neck like those of a bull, joined to the hind-quarters 

 and the tail of a horse. All the species of Catoblcpas, 

 though natives of a hot climate, are able to live in 



with a beard which falls back upon the throat. The 

 upper side of the neck supports a stiff, bristly mane, 

 extending backwards to the withers. 



The skin of the gorgona differs in colour from that of 

 the gnu. It is of an iron-grey, passing to reddish on the 

 lower parts of the body, and it appears marked on the 

 neck and on the flanks by perpendicular stripes. But 

 these stripes, which are by no means very distinct, are 

 not produced as in the zebra and the tiger by differences 

 of colour ; they are due merely to the arrangement of 

 the hair, which diverges, and the tips of which meet in 

 lines which are very regular. The mane and the beard 

 are strongly shaded with black, as well as the tail, which 

 reaches down to the ground. 



According to Dr. Kirk, the well-known explorer, the 



The Gorgona Antelope. 



Europe in the open air, and to multiply in captivity. 

 The horns of the gnu are expanded at the base, so as to 

 form a kind of shield at the top of the head. This 

 shield does not exist in the gorgona, or blue wildebeest 

 as it is called by the European settlers in South Africa. 

 Its horns, though very thick at the root, remain sepa- 

 rate, turning outwards and curving upwards only at the 

 extremity. 



The physiognomy of the animal, like that of the 

 gnu, is sinister, and its temper is exceedingly un- 

 certain. Indeed, it must be remarked that all the 

 larger antelopes, like the deer, are very unsafe as pets. 

 Contrary to the common belief, they are much less to be 

 trusted when domesticated than are carnivorous animals. 

 The gorgona has not a trace of the tuft of black hair 

 which grows along the middle of the nose of the gnu. 

 As in the latter species, however, the chin is ornamented 



gorgona antelope is called kokong by the Bechuanas, and 

 nywnbo by the Manganjas and the tribes inhabiting the 

 banks of the Zambeze. It is, or rather was, very 

 common in all this region of South Africa, especially in 

 Batokoland and on the borders of Lake Shirwa. Here 

 it associates in numerous bands with the zebras, 

 ostriches, and giraffes. The natives hunt it very eagerly, 

 not for its flesh, which is tough and of an unpleasant 

 taste, but for its tail. This appendage passes among 

 these savages as a wonderful talisman, capable of ensur- 

 ing success in their warlike expeditions. 



In the month of November the old males separate 

 from their herds and wander through the country, 

 always ready to pick a quarrel with any other males 

 which they may meet. If alarmed, they generally make 

 one or two 'wide circuits before taking to flight. Our 

 figure is taken from La Nature. 



