§44 
SPRIKGEft, 
These antelopes are inhabitants of Africa. In 
seasons of extreme drought, they advance from 
the northern interior parts of that continent towards 
the Dutch settlements, and proceed straight for- 
wards till they penetrate to the sea. When their 
progress is stopped by this barrier, they return 
by the same road. They journey in immense herds. 
Dr. Sparrman shot one of a herd of about two 
thousand, that came all to drink at the same well. 
M. Yaillaint, on his return from visiting the 
Gonaqois and the Caffres, to the Cape, travelled 
a while in the middle of a herd of these animals, 
migrating in search of water and cool shelter ; 
the number of which lie estimates at much more 
than fifty thousand. He, with his dogs, oxen, 
carriages, and attendants, travelled : in the midst of 
the herd, without giving them any alarm. He 
shot among them and killed three, without scat- 
tering the rest. So peaceable, so insensible to 
danger, is the species, or so difficult is it for divi- 
dual s wedged into so immense, unwieldy a herd, to 
save themselves by flight. Hyaenas, lions, and 
other beasts of prey, attend them on their march, 
and thin their numbers with eager rapacity. The 
Hottentots call them the lion’s flocks of sheep. 
The form of the springer is remarkably elegant. 
Its manners are mild and playful. It runs with 
considerable velocity ; and its race is frequently 
interrupted by a bound, to the elevation perhaps of 
two yards. At that height, the animal seems to 
suspend itself for a few moments in the air ; some- 
times expands the white list on its back, and by 
drooping its head, and gathering its feet together, 
raises that part into a convex form ; and, at other 
times, depressing its belly, sinks its back into 
a concavity, till the rump and the neck almost 
inset. 
It would appear that the , emigrations of the 
