THE GNOO. 
187 
then bend forwards and downwards, and then sud- 
denly upwards, are round and nearly smooth. The 
muzzle is broad and developed, and Major Smith and 
some others have observed a peculiar valve of a tri- 
angular form, which opens and closes at pleasure. 
On the brows and on the ridge of the face the hair 
IS very long and shaggy, and curves forward, and in 
the whole aspect there is something fierce and rest- 
less. The neck is furnished above with an ample 
I'igid mane, and on the lower part of the breast with 
a long end hairy dewlap. The general colour is a 
yellowish tawny, darkest on the back and legs ; the 
t’ps of the mane, dewlap, and tail whitish. In the 
old specimens the white of these parts disappear, and 
are nearly black. The young are said to be white, 
hut the indications which have been received are 
''ague, as far as the .species is described. 
The Gpoo is extremely swift and active, and while 
Hot engaged in feeding, is sportive in manner, standing 
*0 gaze at one time, and at the next moment wheel- 
’Og and scampering over the plains with immense ra- 
pidity. We had an opportunity many years since of 
feeing a specimen of this animal in Wombwell’s INIe- 
•'agerie, which was quite mild and tractable, and in 
appearance, from the disproportionate fineness of the 
limbs to the heavy looking body, did not seem to be 
Capable of the speed which is generally attributed to 
’h It is remarkable that the cry of this animal is 
aomewhat like that of the bellow of a bull. 
This species is the smallest and most common of 
