88 
Very shortly after the publication of Harris’s ‘ Portraits, Dr. Andrew 
Smith published his scientific account of the Sassaby in one of the numbers - 
of his ‘Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa.’ After an accurate 
description Dr. Smith well remarks that “between the appearances of the 
horns of the Sassaby and the Caama there are such marked differences, that 
we must at once conclude that no valid importance ought to be attached 
either to the form or direction of horns in the grouping of species. The 
subocular glands also differ materially in these two animals: in the Caama 
they are covered with short hair, similar to that of the other parts of the 
face; in the Sassaby they are without covering. In the Caama, the last 
portion of the tail is completely encircled with hair; in the Sassaby the sides 
and upper surface only are so furnished, the under surface being bare. In 
general appearance the two animals present a strong resemblance to each 
other.” Dr. Smith adds the following note on the habits of this species :— 
“While B. caama seems to prefer the open grassy plains for its feeding- 
places, the Sassaby apparently delights to resort to situations in the vicinity 
of wood, or to such as are actually wooded, and in districts of the latter 
description large herds are often observed feeding among the dense brushwood 
without apparent concern. All the individuals we saw near to Latakoo were 
vigilant in watching our motions, and apparently little disposed to trust 
themselves within our reach ; while those, again, on the other side of Kurri- 
chane were comparatively tame, and though they did not actually resist our 
approach, yet they often continued in the situations in which we discovered 
them, until they were quite within the range of our guns; and even after 
being fired at they only retreated slowly, and rarely without frequently turning 
round as they retired to watch our movements. ‘Their retreat, after each 
examination of the kind mentioned, was commonly preceded by some significant 
springs or strange gesticulations, such as are often made by common domestic 
cattle when they are put to flight by any object which excites their alarm. 
In point of manners, both the Sassaby and the Hartebeest show a considerable 
resemblance to the bovine tribe, and, except the Gnu, more so than any 
of the other Antelopes.” 
Coming to more modern times, Mr. T. E. Buckley, in his excellent article 
on the ‘‘ Geographical Distribution of South-African Mammals,” read before 
the Zoological Society of London in 1876, gives us the subjoined notes of his 
experience of this species :—‘‘ Although, in Harris’s time, the Sassabye appears 
