ANTELOPE. 309 



has prefixed them to his particular description of 

 the species. 



They inhabit (says this author), two or three 

 species excepted, the hottest part of the globe ; 

 or, at least, those parts of the temperate zone that 

 lie so near the tropics as to form a doubtful cli- 

 mate. None, therefore, except the Saiga and the 

 Cliamois^ are to be met with in Europe ; and not- 

 withstanding the warmth of South America is 

 suited to their nature, not a single species has yet 

 been discovered in any part of the new world. 

 Their proper climates seem, therefore, to be those 

 of Asia and Africa, where the species are very nu- 

 merous. 



* ^ As there appears a general agreement in the 

 nature of the species that form this great genus, 

 it will prevent needless repetition to observe, th^t 

 the Antelopes are animals generally of a most ele- 

 gant and active make ; of a restless and timid dis- 

 position ; extremely watchful ; of great vivacity ; 

 remarkably swift and agile, and most of their 

 boundings so light, so elastic, as to strike the 

 spectator with astonishment. What is very sin- 

 gular is that they will stop in the midst of their 

 course, gaze for a moment at their pursuers, and 

 then resume their flight. 



As the chace of these animals is a favourite 

 amusement with the eastern nations, from that 

 may be collected proofs of the rapid speed of the 

 Antelope tribe. The greyhound^ the fleetest of 

 dogs, is usually unequal in the course, and the 

 sportsman is obliged to call in the aid of the 



v. II. p. II. %\ 



