ELK ANTELOPE*' ' 235 
servation. That enthusiastic student of nature 
had various opportunities, in his journey from the 
Cape into the interior parts of Africa, both of ex- 
amining the form and appearance, and of observ- 
ing the manners of this species. 
They are gregarious, and are often seen in im- 
mense herds in the extensive plains on the confines 
of Caffraria, north-west from the Cape. The in- 
dustry of the Dutch colonists, who hunt them 
eagerly for their flesh, hides, and tallow, has al- 
most exterminated them from the districts lying 
nearer that promontory. Though the elk antelope 
affords always a considerable quantity of tallow, 
and is generally fat and bulky, yet he is content 
with such a moderate quantity of food as he can 
crop from shrubs and bushes, without requiring 
large quantities of grain or grass. When hunt- 
ed, these animals always run, if possible, against 
the wind, and will even face the hunter rather 
than flee in a different direction. Their fatness 
and heaviness render it difficult for them to run 
along, if hard pursued ; and it is probable that 
they turn their faces against the wind, when pur- 
sued, from finding that in this direction they be- 
come not so soon so insufferably hot and breathless, 
as when their progress is assisted by the force of 
the wind. Some of the hunters pretend that they 
have seen the elk antelope, when fleeing with 
all speed before a pursuer, exude from his neck 
a bloody froth. Sometimes a mixture of melted 
fat and blood is seen to gush, on similar occasions, 
from the nostrils of the panting animal. At other 
times, even the younger and fleeter bucks are seen 
to drop down dead, when their strength is ex- 
hausted in the flight. 
The flesh of the elk antelope is excellent food. 
It is of a fine grain, very juicy, and tastes delich 
@usly„ The breast especially, is considered as a 
