xxn 
HORNS 
285 
but this species is more common in 
Somaliland, where the male oryx is 
hunted especially for its hide, for this 
is particularly thick over the withers 
and is used on this account for the 
manufacture of Somali shields. 
Chapman witnessed a fight between 
two oryx bulls at Bariugo where these 
antelopes are plentiful, and states 
that they “ sparred with their rapier¬ 
like horns, each seeking to gain the 
other s flank.” He succeeded in shoot¬ 
ing the victor ; the hide was scarred 
with wounds from a score of fights, 
and in the skin of the neck, which 
was nearly two inches thick. Chapman 
found an encysted bullet. The hide 
of the cow in the same situation is 
comparatively thin. When a herd of 
oryx antelopes is traversing tall grass 
their long horns produce an appear¬ 
ance not unlike a regiment of soldiers 
marching with fixed bayonets. 
The natives of Ethiopia in their 
arts and crafts make good use of 
material derived from the horns and 
skins of antelopes. 'J'he hides furnish 
them with a covering for their bodies, 
shields and drum-heads. Useful 
thongs are cut from the hides of 
elands to tether and bind cattle. The 
sheath of the kudu’s horn and of the 
marshbuck make excellent trumpets 
and the convolutions emphasise the 
sound. Blasts from such trumpets 
can be heard afar, in warfare, and on 
ceremonial occasions; or to call the 
people together, to guide them when 
Horn Sheath of the 
Greater Kudu. The 
Masai use it as a 
trumpet when they 
move their kraal so 
that no one shall 
lose the way. 
