Zoological Society. 4281 



Antilopes. 



In the general collection no greater progress has been made than 

 with the antilopes, among which the most conspicuous fact is the 

 probable acclimatization of the eland (Boselaphus oreas). It will be 

 remembered that, by the bequest of the late Earl of Derby, the 

 Society became possessed of two males and three females of this 

 noble species at the close of the year 1851. Of these one female was 

 adult, having been bred by his lordship at Knowsley in 1844 ; the 

 others were scarcely a year old, having been then recently imported 

 as fawns. 



The three females have this year produced a male and two female 

 fawns, all fine and perfectly developed animals, thriving as well as 

 calves of the most highly bred cattle would do at the same age. If 

 equally successful in the current year, the original herd will have 

 doubled itself before the expiration of the next twelve months. 



As the amount of protection which the eland requires in this coun- 

 try is scarcely more than is ordinarily given to the most valuable 

 agricultural stock, there appears to be no difficulty whatever, if the 

 subject is taken up by proprietors who have the requisite facilities, in 

 the way of introducing a new and a most valuable venison into our 

 parks. The magnificent character of this species, and the weight 

 which it attains, is beginning to manifest itself in the oldest bull, who 

 is, however, far short of maturity. A few minutes given to this extra- 

 ordinary animal, which has been removed to the Wapiti-house (No. 

 58 in the plan), will satisfy any one of its beauty, power, and activity ; 

 while we have the concurrent testimony of every sportsman in South- 

 ern Africa as to the excellent quality of the meat as an article of 

 food. 



Of the other antilopes, the Leucoryx breeds freely, a third fawn 

 having been recently produced by the female purchased at Knowsley. 

 The Society have, in addition, recently completed pairs of the Sing- 

 sing and the Bubale antilope {A. Bubalis), each representing an 

 important group in this graceful and interesting family. Through the 

 exertions of the Hon. C. A. Murray and Mr. Grace, Her Britannic 

 Majesty's Vice-Consul at Mogador, a male and two females of the 

 Aoudad (Ovis tragelaphus), have been added to the collection, and 

 there is therefore every prospect of continuing them, as well as the 

 Egyptian Tbex (Capra nubiana), of which one kid has been already 

 born. 



XIT. S 



