630 VERTEBRATA. 
r 
THE KOODOO. 
ities, if tlieir dark and uniform color did not distinguisli them. They live in extensive herds on the 
karroos of South Africa, and are wild and difficult to approach. When wounded, they will turn 
upon the hunter and pursue him, dropping on their knees before making an attack, and then 
darting forward with amazing force and velocity. When first alarmed, they commence by fling- 
ing up their heels and capering like a restive horse, tossing their heads and tails, and butting at 
the mole-hills or other objects, but immediately after taking to flight, and traversing the desert 
with a speed which soon carries them beyond the reach of danger. They do not run in a con- 
fused crowd like sheep or oxen, but in single file, following a leader, and have a pleasing appear- 
ance as they skim over the level plains. They are said to be subject to a cutaneous eruption at 
particular seasons of the year, which they sometimes communicate to domestic cattle, and which 
invariably ends in death. 
The KoKOON, Antilope Taurina of Burchell, and found in Abyssinia, is regarded by some 
naturalists as identical Avith the common gnu. 
The Gorgon or Brindled Gnu, C. Gorgon^ has a convex, smooth face, covered with hair lying 
toward the nose, the chest not being maned. It is of a black color, varied and striped with gray. 
It is the Bastard Wilde Beest of the Dutch at the Cape. It lives to the north of the Nu Gareep or 
Black River, and though herds feed on its banks, it is not known to cross it. It occurs on the 
large plains north of the Orange River, and when alarmed each herd decamps in long, regular 
files. The flesh is much sought after. The Bechuanas use the skins for their cloaks and mantles. 
Genus STREPSICEROS : Strepsiceros. — Of this genus is the Koodoo, S, coiidou^ or Kudu^ 
ithe Condoma of Buffon, the Antilope Strepsiceros of Pallas, one of the largest of antilopes, 
