THE ANTELOPE LEUCORYX. 119 



THE ANTELOPE LEUCORYX. 



IN THE MENAGERY OF Mr. CROSS, ROYAL MEWS. 



The antelope forms an intermediate genus between the deer and the goat. In the form of their bodies 

 they agree with the former ; and in the texture of their horns, which have a core in them, they 

 resemble the goats. Some of the species are in their form far less elegant and light than the rest : of 

 this, the leucoryx, or white antelope, seems the most remarkable instance, the body being thick and 

 heavy, and the head very large. In the disposition of colours on the face, there is a remarkable 

 approach to those of the Pasan or Egyptian antelope ; but the colour of the body is of a snowy white- 

 ness, with the exception of the middle of the face, the sides of the cheeks, and limbs, which are tinged 

 ■with red. The nose is thick and broad, like that of a cow; the ears somewhat slouching ; the limbs 

 are slight, in proportion to the heaviness of the body. The horns are very long, very slightly incur- 

 vated, slender, and annulated about half way upwards; their colour is black, and they are sharp 

 pointed: the hoofs are black, and the tail somewhat flocky, or terminated b} r loose hairs. The size 

 of the animal is about the size of a Welsh Runt, and it is* the inhabitant of an island called Gow 

 Bahrein, in the Gulf of Bassora. 



Some of the numerous species of this genus are found in America ; they are mostly confined to Asia 

 and Africa, inhabiting the hottest regions of the Old World, or the temperate zones near the tropics. 

 None of them, except the chamois and saiga, are found in Europe. They chiefly inhabit hilly 

 countries, though some reside in the plains ; and some of the species form herds of two or three 

 thousand, while others keep in small troops of five or six. They have all gall bladders ; distinct 

 lachrymal gutters, or pits under the eyes. In general their flesh is excellent, as they feed on the 

 tender roots of trees ; though some species have a rank hircine or musky flavour, which probably 

 results from the qualities of the plants on which they feed. 



The animal is considered by the African as a very dangerous one, the form and sharpness of its 

 horns rendering it a very formidable adversary ; and, like others of this genus, when it makes its 

 attack, it bends down the head, and rushes forward with great violence, thus presenting the points of 

 its sharp and long horns immediately forwards. The Africans, when they have wounded it, are 

 said to be careful of approaching it till they are well assured that it is totally deprived of life. 



This animal is very rare in the menageries of this country, and we are informed that this is the 

 second only which has ever been publicly exhibited. In its place of confinement it exhibits not the 

 slightest indication of ferocity, but appears to possess the general timidity of its species. 



In Asia, the antelope leucoryxes have been kept by the different shahs of Persia, as great rarities, 

 in their parks, particularly by Shah Sultahn Houssein, Emperor of Persia, in his park at Cassar, 

 about eight leagues from the capital ; and it was from these animals that the first drawing of them 

 reached England, and which is now preserved in the British Museum. 



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