14 
The hollow-homed ruminants, or antelopes, form one of the 
three principal divisions into which the ruminants are divided ; 
of the other two, one includes the sheep and goats, and the other 
the different forms of oxen and their allies. As the two latter 
have already furnished us with valuable domestic animals, the 
acclimatisation societies have been directing their attention to 
the first-named group, to pay a corresponding tribute to domestic 
economy. 
Of sheep and goats we have about twenty wild species, and 
of the true oxen not more than a dozen, but of the different 
kinds of antelopes no less than eighty are known to exist, and 
no doubt many more may yet be found in the unexplored 
regions of Africa. 
An animal, therefore, that every endeavour should be made to 
acclimatise in this colony is that noble bovine antelope, as it 
may be termed, the eland (Boselaphusorcas), the largest, heaviest, 
and altogether the most useful of the tribe. The eland possesses 
every qualification to make a good domestic animal, it is par¬ 
ticularly remarked for its tame and quiet disposition, and as to 
the question of rearing them it is well known that out of seven¬ 
teen elands born in the limited space of the Zoological Gardens 
of London only one has failed to reach maturity. 
Of the value of the flesh as food, it is related that “ every 
travelling sportsman in Caftraria agrees upon its fine quality,” 
and a trial made in England in the beginning of 1859, and 
reported upon in the 'Times by Professor Owen, fully confirms all 
that they have said; for the eland is no longer exclusively African. 
“ In shape and general aspect,” says Captain Harris, “the body 
of the male eland resembles that of a well-conditioned Guzzerat 
ox, not unfrequently attaining the height of nineteen hands, and 
weighing 2000 lbs. The head is strictly that of the antelope 
(as may he seen in the drawing); light, graceful, and bony, 
with a pair of magnificent straight horns, about two feet in 
length, spirally ringed, and pointing backward. The flesh is 
esteemed by all classes in Africa above that of any other 
animal; in grain and colour it resembles beef, but is better 
tasted and more delicate, possessing a true game flavour, and 
the quantity of fat with which it is interlarded is surprising, 
greatly exceeding that of any other game quadruped with which 
"we are acquainted. The venison fairly melts in the mouth, and 
as for the brisket, that is absolutely a cut for a monarch. 
During the greater part of our journey it was to the fiesli of 
this goodly beast that we principally looked for our daily rations, 
