C *70 ] 
Received November 15, 1770. 
XXL An Accoufit of the Nyl-ghau^ a7t 
Indian Animal^ not hitherto defer ih ed : 
By William Hunter, Af. D, F, R, S. 
Read Feb. 28, A MONG the rlches which, of late 
* 77 »• years, have been imported from 
India, may be reckoned a fine animal, the Nyl-ghau j 
which, it is to be hoped, will now be propagated in 
this country, fo as to become one of the mofl ufeful, 
or at lead one of the mod ornamental beads of the 
field. It is larger than any ruminant of this country, 
except the ox ; its flefli probably will be found to be 
delicious ; and, if it fhould prove docile enough to 
be eafily trained to labour, its great fwiftnefs, with 
confiderable drength, might be applied, one would 
think, to valuable purpofes. 
Good paintings of animals give much clearer ideas 
than deferiptions. Whoever looks at the pidure, 
which was done under my eye, by Mr, Stubbs, that 
excellent painter of animals (fee Tab. V.), can never 
be at a lofs to know the Nyl-ghau, wherever he 
may happen to meet with it. However, I fliall at- 
tempt a defeription of the animal ; and then give as 
much of its hidory as I have been hitherto able to 
learn. The account will be imperfed : yet it will 
give naturalids fome pleafure in the mean time to 
know 
