CHAP. XX 
THE ANTELOPE 
157 
Although Africa takes precedence for size and 
variety of species, the antelope is found in differ¬ 
ent portions of the world, in smaller numbers, but 
in most instances distinct examples. In North 
America the well-known antelope of the prairies 
is totally unlike all others in the peculiar position 
of the horns; these are prong-shaped, slightly 
palmated, and are fitted at right angles with the 
flat top of the skull, starting from exactly above 
the orbit of the eye, which forms the base. This 
animal (A. furcifera) is quite unlike all other 
antelopes, in shedding the sheath of its horns 
annually. This species was to be found in enor¬ 
mous numbers at the commencement of this 
century, and even now, owing to its natural 
vigilance, it has escaped the general destruction 
of wild game. The live weight is about 90 lbs., 
and the flesh is excellent. The females are devoid 
of horns. 
There is a second variety in Canada, but I have 
never met with it. 
The chamois represents the European antelope 
(.Rupicapra tragus). There is also a second 
variety in Russia (the Antilope saiga). 
We thus discover the extreme paucity of 
varieties in cool temperatures, which suggests that 
the antelope is an animal better suited for tropical 
or sub-tropical climates, in which it becomes 
thoroughly developed. 
In India we find one variety of large size, the 
nilghye (Portax picta). This is a curious animal, 
