CLASS I. MAMMALIA: OEDER 9. RUMINANTIA. 
537 
calm but resolute, presenting his well fortified head to the enemy. The lion cautiously changed 
his position, descended to the plain, and made a circuit, obviously for the purpose of attacking 
the gemsbok in the rear ; but the latter was on the alert, and still turned his head toward his 
antagonist. The maneuvering lasted for half an hour, when it appeared to the observers that the 
gemsbok used a stratagem to induce the lion to make an assault. The flank of the antilope was 
for a moment presented to his fierce assailant; as quick as lightning the lion made a spring, but 
while he was yet in the air the gemsbok turned his head, bending his neck so as to present one 
of his spear-like horns at the lion's breast. A terrible laceration was the consequence ; the lion 
fell back on his haunches and showed a ghastly wound in the lower part of his neck. He uttered 
a howl of rage and anguish, and backed off to the distance of fifty yards, seeming half disposed to 
give up the contest ; but hunger, fury, or revenge once more impelled him forward. His second 
assault was more furious and headlong ; he rushed at the gemsbok, and attempted to leap over 
the formidable horns, in order to alight on his back. 
The gemsbok, still standing on the defensive, elevated his head, speared the lion in his side, 
and inflicted Avhat the spectators believed to be a mortal wound, as the horns penetrated to the 
depth of six or eight inches. Again the lion retreated, groaning and limping in a manner which 
showed that he had been severely hurt; but lie soon collected all his energies for anotlier attack. 
At the instant of collision the gemsbok presented a horn so as to strike the lion immediately be- 
tween his two fore-legs, and so forcible was the stroke that the whole length of the horn was 
buried in the lion's body. For nearly a minute the two beasts stood motionless; then the 
gemsbok, slowly backing, withdrew his horn, and the lion tottered and fell on his side, his limbs 
quivering in the agonies of death. The victor made a triumphant flourish of his heels, and 
trotted ofi", apparently without having received the least injury in the conflict. 
The 0. Beisa, the Antilope Beisa of Eiippel, resembles the gazelles, and is found in Abysinia. 
The Water-Buck or Photomok, Kohus ellipsijyrymnus, is seven feet long and four high ; the 
horns are thick and heavy, and marked by twenty-four prominent annuli. The most distinguish- 
ing mark of the species is a ribbon of pure white which passes over the croup and down each hip, 
uniting between the thighs, and forming a perfect ellipse, having the root of the tail in one of its 
foci, and contrasting most singularly with the dark, rusty iron-gray of the surrounding parts. It 
is to this mark, which is so peculiarly characteristic of the species, that the name of elli'psiprym- 
nus refers. This animal is a native of South Africa. It receives the name of Water-Buck from 
its habit, when alarmed, of rushing into and crossing very rapid rivers. It lives in small herds 
on the banks of streams, and has not been known to occur south of 26° south latitude. The flesh 
is not regarded as good for food, as it has a rank, pungent smell, and disagreeable taste. 
The Sing-Sing, Kobus Sin<j-Sin(/, diS"ers in the tints of its coloring as Avell as the length of 
its hair at difi"erent seasons of the year. The general color is reddish or yellowish-gray-brown ; 
the belly and legs, end of tail and legs, from shoulder to hock, black. The females are grayer 
and have the belly and upper part of the legs paler. This animal is called Sing-Sing by all the 
negroes. They do not think that their flocks will be healthy or fruitful unless they have a Sing- 
Sing with them, just as a fancy is entertained by some persons in England for having a goat in a 
stable. The English on the Gambia call it the Jackass-Deer from its appearance ; it is called 
Koha and Kassimause by the negroes at Macarthy's Island. Its flesh is strong, and not pleasant 
eating. 
The Leucoryx, 0. leucoryx^ referred to by various writers under the names of the Milk-ivhite 
Antilope^ the White Antilop}e, and the Algazel, is known to the Arabs by the names of Abuhard, 
Jachmur, and Yazmur, and to the Persians by that of M- Walrugh-el-Bukras. It is perhaps the 
most celebrated of all the antilope genus, being the species which is generally supposed to have 
given rise to the fabulous Unicorn of the ancients. It is, properly speaking, the Oryx of ancient 
writers, but many modern authors have followed the example of Pallas in bestowing that name 
upon the Oryx Gfazella. The horns are long, slender, and bent slightly backward. The general 
color is milk-white, with some rusty-brown marks. It is gregarious, and feeds upon difterent 
species of acacias, and is found in large herds in Sennaar, Nubia, and Senegal. It is frequently 
represented on the monuments of Egypt and Nubia, and particularly in the inner chamber of 
YoL. I.— 68 
