'Antilopid^. MAMMALIA.' 
-ANTlLOPin.'E. 
from whose beautiful work, entitled “ Portraits of the 
Game and Wild Animals of Southern Africa,” the 
annexed illustration of the brindled species is given, 
furnishes the following proof of their speed, and of their 
resemblance to a lion when seen at a great distance. 
“Whilst crossing the boundless plains of the Vaal river, 
we had an opportunity of remarking the very similar 
appearance of the two animals, in twice witnessing the 
animating but abortive pursuit of a herd of Gnoos by 
an enormous lion, rendered perfectly furious by the 
qualms of hunger, and still more desperately frantic 
at the disappointment entailed by the slippery heels 
of his intended victims, who, on both occasions, left 
their grim pursuer far behind, puffing and blowing, to 
grumble over the loss of the morning repast which he 
had vainly promised himself.” The same eloquent 
writer, thorough sportsman, and competent naturalist, 
says — “ These ungainly beasts are nevertheless shot 
from horseback without much difficulty, and can 
scarcely be pronounced formidable except in externjJ 
appearance. The eyes are lowering and expressive of 
great ferocity ; the solid casque of the horn, by which 
their beetling brows are overshadowed, greatly height- 
ening their aspect of suspicion and vindictiveness. 
Like other animals possessing dispositions far more 
gentle and tractable, the Gnoo is naturally prone to 
charge in self-defence when wounded or forced into a 
corner ; but, after fracturing its leg, I have repeatedly 
driven a reluctant individual up to the waggons, either 
to escape the trouble of carrying bis sirloui, or because 
I had expended the last bullet in my pouch. In the 
wild districts bordering on the colony, where a succes- 
sion of level plains are traversed by low ranges of bare 
stony hills, prancing troops, consisting of from fifteen 
to thirty Gnoos of various sizes, are to be seen engaged 
in the most wanton frolics, and may easily be hemmed 
into a valley and compelled to run the gamitlet.” And 
further on he adds : — “ The curious and inquisitive 
disposition of the Gnoo, often induces the herd to dis- 
continue their giddy gambols, and slowly to approach 
the passing caravan with an air of laughable defiance, 
formed in a compact square, gazing, menacing, stamp- 
ing with their slender fore-feet, and at length halting 
within rifle range to scrutinize the bold intruders upon 
tbeir lone and hereditary pastures.” Sucli is Captain 
Harris' account of the whimsical character of this sin- 
gular antelope, and it is fully borne ou-t by the less 
animated descriptions of other travellers. The female 
Gnoo usually produces a solitary calf at a single birth, 
which at first exhibits a whitish cream-coloured fur, 
subsequently becoming reddish-grey. The flesh of the 
adult is coarse, but that of the calf is considered excel- 
lent. The tail is used for making chowries, whilst the 
bide is brayed and converted into riems or thongs ; in 
this state it is chiefly employed as harness, being also 
applied to other economic uses as a substitute for rope 
or twine. 
THE BRINDLED GNOO (Catohlepas Gorgon), Ko- 
KOON, or Gokgon, is readily distinguished from the 
common species by its arched face, laterally directed 
The Brindled Gnoo (Catohlepas Gorgon,. 
horns, deep bluish -black hide striped with obscure 
vertical bands, absence of any tufts of hair between 
the fore-legs, and immensely thick, elevated and 
powerful shoulders (fig. 58). The body measures nine 
feet in length, including the tail and head ; the latter 
alone being twenty-tliree inches from the tip of the 
muzzle to the occipital crest. The Brindled Gnoo 
inhabits the interior plains of Southern Africa to 
the north of Orange river, its manners being similar 
to those of its congeners. According to some autho- 
rities the name Kokoon ought to be applied to the 
common species ; but we prefer the authority of Cap- 
tain Harris, who remarks that it is thus named by 
the Bechuanas, while the Dutch colonists call it tho 
Bastuard, and the Hottentot tribes designate it the 
Baas or Kuop. He gives also the following graphic 
description of its manners : — “ When excited by the 
appearance of any suspicious object, or aroused by any 
