THE CAPllID^. 
191 
this is in other respects maintained, a single strong 
prong jutting from it at the base, and shewing a mo- 
dification of structure which, if not known to exist, 
would certainly have been surmised. The horns in 
the other species sometimes approach to a flattened 
form, are sometimes bent in abrupt knees, or sudden 
liooks ; but the general form is rounded, or spirally 
twisted, almost always inclining- backwards. 
The first section of the Capridm will be composed 
of the antelopes, forming a subfamily Antelopina, 
and containing by far the greater proportion of the 
whole. By Major Smith it has also been divided 
into subgenera, which we shall notice in succession, 
but in the present volume will be able only to review 
a portion of them. 
In their general characters they continue the deer- 
like form, and only in some of the concluding forms 
resemble in appearance the succeeding groups of the 
sheep and goats, while a few indicate the peculiari- 
ties of the next or Bovine Family. The hair con- 
tinues also the quality of that of the deer. The tail 
is in general somewhat lengthened. The horns are 
not confined to the males only, though in the other 
sex they are generally less developed. The greatest 
part of them are gregarious, and form one of the 
most beautiful and interesting objects in the African 
desert. They are easily alarmed, and dart suddenly 
off on observing the cause of their distrust ; but, pos- 
sessing a great share of curiosity, make sudden 
wheels, and stop to inspect the intruders, without, 
