2 
ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS. 
[upper 
which have two horns and a smooth hide, without any folds ; several 
specimens of the Hippopotamus in different stages of growth ; the 
Indian Elephant,* which is easily tamed and, when domesticated, one 
of the most useful animals in its native country; a young specimen of 
the African Elephant, a species distinguished by its enormous ears ; 
in ancient times tamed like the Indian species, it is now exposed to 
extermination on account of the great value of its tusks. — In two large 
glass-cases are shown stuffed specimens and skeletons of those Apes or 
Monkeys which, on the whole, are most like man, and therefore are 
named " Anthropoid Apes ;" however, it will be perceived that their 
similarity to man is much greater during their eariy youth than at an 
advanced age. To this group of Monkeys belong the Gorilla and 
Chimpanzee, inhabitants of the forests of Western and Central 
Africa; and the two kinds of Orang from Borneo and Sumatra. These 
animals live chiefly on fruits, but possess an extraordinary strength, 
"fthich they "well know how to use when attacked. 
Over the Cases containing the Antelopes and Bats are placed the 
'horns of the different species of Oxen, the largest of which are those 
of the Arnee, or Great Indian Buffalo. 
Cases 1-6 and 14-20. The Antelopes are beasts with hollow 
horns, chewing the cud ; they are chiefly of a sandy colour, and 
•specially fitted to inhabit extensive plains with tracts of desert ; a few 
of the species live among rocks, v^^here they are as sure-footed as the 
Goat. They are most abundant in Africa, especially in the southern 
■districts. A few are found in India. Among the more interesting 
species may be pointed out the Water-buck, and Sable Antelope ; the 
Oryx, which, when seen in profile, probably suggested the Unicorn 
mentioned by the ancients; the Blessbok, Hartebeest, and Sassaybe of 
South Africa; the large-eyed Gazelle, so often referred to by Eastern 
poets ; the Springbok, so called from its springing bounds, when the 
white fur of its back opens out like a sheet ; the Gnu, which at first 
seems a compound of Horse, Buffalo, and Antelope ; the Sasing, or 
Indian Antelope, with its curious cheek-pores ; the Wood Antelopes, 
with short horns often concealed amongst a brush of hairs ; the 
Chickara of India, with four little horns. (Case 12.) North America 
and Europe have each a single species, viz., the Prong-buck of the 
United States, and the Chamois which frequents the Alps. None of 
these hollow-horned animals shed their horns, except the Prong-buck, 
in which, periodically, a new pair of horns, covered with hairs, are 
formed below and within the old one. 
The different kinds of Wild Sheep (Cases 9 to 11) from the moun- 
tains of Asia, North America, and North Africa: one of the most 
* At the top of the staircase, close to the entrance into this saloon, there are 
-exhiV)ited two skulls of the Indian Elephant: one of an adult animal, with fully 
<leveloped tusks ; the other of a younger individual, about eighteen years old, 
showing the succession of the grinding teeth. In the Elephant, only one 
grinding tooth at a time is in use on each side of each jaw. Whilst this is 
wearing out, another grinder is gradually formed behind the old tooth, to take 
its place when it is shed. The number of the teeth thus successively developed 
is limited to six 
