538 
VERTEBRATA. 
THE BLAtrW-BOC. 
the great pyramid at Mempliis, where a whole group of them is depicted, some being driven or 
pushed forward, and others led by the horns or by a cord about the neck, apparently by way of 
tribute from some subject or conquered nation. AVith one exception these representations are in 
profile, so that only one horn is seen. 
The Etaac or Blaltw-Boc, Antilope leucophcea^ is six feet long, three feet seven inches high, has 
round horns curved backward, and is of a bluish-black color, whence its name, which signifies 
Blue Buck. It is also sometimes called the Blue Antilope. It lives in pairs or small families in 
the open plains of Southern and Western Africa, is exceedingly swift, and when wounded is dan- 
gerous. Its flesh is eaten but is not relished. The French of Senegambia call it Vache Brune^ 
and the Joliffs, Koh or Koba. 
The TaJchaitze of the Bechuanas — Antilope barbata — is a wild and ferocious but beautiful va- 
riety of the preceding. 
The A. equina of Geoff'roy is also a variety of Blauw-Boc. 
The Black Buck:, (Egocerus Niger^ is black, with a white face marked with a dark streak ; 
the female and J^oung are brown. It is found in Southern Africa. 
Genus GAZELLE : Gazella. — These animals are distinguished for their o-racefal forms and 
delicate limbs ; their horns are black, shiny, and lyrate, and smaller in the female than the male ; 
the face is conical and tapering ; the fur short and close. 
The Gazelle, Gazella Dorcas— ihe Gazelle of Buff'oii — the animal he describes as a distinct 
species under the name of Corinne being the female of this species. It is three feet and a half 
long, twenty-two inches high, the horns nine inches long ; the ears are long, narrow, and pointed, 
the form light and elegant ; the general color is a yellowish-red, with white patches and dark 
stripes on j^arts of the body ; beneath it is white. It is found in Egypt and Barbary, where it 
lives in large troops upon the borders of the cultivated country, and also in the deserts. When 
pursued it flies to some distance, then stops to gaze a moment at the hunters, and again renews 
its flight. The flock, when attacked collectively, disperse in all directions, but soon unite, and 
when brought to bay defend themselves with courage and obstinacy, uniting in a close circle, 
with the females and fawns in the center, and j)resenting their horns at all points to their ene- 
mies ; 3^et, notwithstanding their courage, they are the common prey of the lion and panther, and 
are hunted with great perseverance by the Arabs and Bedouins of the desert. When taken young 
they are easily domesticated, and soon become familiar. This animal is frequently cut iipon the 
monuments of Egypt and Nubia. 
