SPRING-BOKS. 117 



have been said to " whiten the plains." " This 

 remarkable and distinctive character of the species 

 consists in two longitudinal foldings, or duplications, 

 of the skin on the croup, which commence above the 

 loins, or about the middle of the back, and run in a 

 straight line from thence to the tail. The interior 

 of these folds is lined with hair of nine or ten 

 inches in length, and of the most brilliant and snowy 

 whiteness. They are likewise under the complete 

 command of the animal's volition, and are opened 

 and shut at pleasure. When closed, which they al- 

 ways are when the animal is at rest, their lips form 

 a narrow line along the top of the loins and croup, 

 which being covered by the long cinnamon-red hair 

 of the back and hips, is scarcely distinguishable, or 

 only as a narrow white streak ; but when the animal 

 leaps or runs, these folds are expanded, and form a 

 broad circular mark of the purest white, which ex- 

 tends over the whole croup and hips, and produces a 

 most remarkable and pleasing effect." 



The appearance of these beautiful antelopes, scat- 

 tered over the wide and extensive plains, contributes 

 greatly to lessen the monotony of the scene. Indeed, 

 there are few objects in nature which present a more 

 gratifying sight to the traveller than a herd of these 

 elegant creatures, in the full enjoyment of their native 

 freedom. During their wanderings through the in- 

 habited parts of the country, to which they are led 

 in search of pasturage and water, their numbers are 



