336 
THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 
9 July, 
form and smoothness prove that this animal is not an inhabitant of 
mountains or rocky places. Their figure, and that of the tail, drawn 
in proportion to the horns, may be seen at the end of this chapter. 
The tail, which was about nine inches long and was like that of the 
blesbok, was furnished on the upper side with long black hair ; that, 
towards the tip, being the longest, and measuring five inches. The 
fresh skin, when spread out upon the ground, measured, from the end 
of the nose to the tip of the tail, seven feet and seven inches ; across 
the middle of the body, four feet ; in extent between the ends of the 
two fore legs, eight feet and five inches ; and the same of the hind 
legs, eight feet. The length of the ears was eight inches. From 
these dimensions it would appear that, at the withers, the height of 
the Crescent-horned Antelope is nearly four feet, and the diameter 
of its body a little more than fifteen inches. * 
* Of tliis antelope, the first and only skin ever brought to Europe was, along with 
a number of others, as I have stated in the note at page 383. of the preceding volume, 
presented to The British Mtisemn. At the time of writing that note, and previously to it, 
I confined my complaints against that establishment, to its long protracted delay in 
placing them before the Public, and to its neglect of a donation which was made under 
the implied condition of being immediately disposed of in the proper manner. Finding 
the Museum so dilatory in this case, I repeatedly complained, and urged in support of my 
complaint, the injustice which was done to the Public, as well as to a collection which had 
been pronounced valuable to zoological science. At first, orders were given for these skins 
to be put into proper form with as little delay as possible; and a few (7) were in conse- 
quence then stuffed ; after which the work proceeded no farther. To my remonstrance, 
it was replied, at one time, that these quadrupeds would require more room than that 
building would allow. At another time I learnt that the expense * was greater than the 
funds of the establishment would authorise. Be all this as it may, I know that several 
quadrupeds received long since mine, have been stuffed, and some preserved in a much 
more expensive manner ; and that hundreds, and I believe thousands, of pounds have, since 
that time, been expended by the Museum in the purchase of objects of natural-history. 
To these subjects my complaints were at that time confined ; because I relied on an 
official communication which stated that all requisite care was taken of my animals, and 
that no fear need be entertained respecting their security and preservation from damage 
by insects. How unexpected, therefore, was the additional mortification which I felt, when 
I had occasion, in July last, (1822) to visit the Museum for the purpose of making a draw- 
ing of the horns of the above described antelope. I was shown a large chest which was 
* It was estimated that the expense of stuffing them would not amount to 300/. : one third of which 
had ah-eady been paid ; and the most expensive part of the work, occasioned by setting up the two Camelo- 
pards, was then completed. 
