GUIDE TO THE 
5 * 
Africa, a species allied to the Beisa that it “ thrives and at¬ 
tains high condition in barren regions, where it might be 
imagined that a locust could not find subsistence ; and 
burning as is the climate, it is perfectly independent of 
water, which, from my own observation, and the repeated 
reports both of Boers and aborigines, I am convinced it 
never by any chance tastes. Its flesh is deservedly popular, 
and ranks next to that of the Eland. At certain seasons of 
the year they carry a great quantity of fat, at which time 
they can more easily be ridden into. Owing to the even 
nature of the ground which the Gemsbok frequents, its shy 
and suspicious disposition, and the extreme distances from 
water to which it must be followed, it is never stalked or 
driven to an ambush like the Antelopes, but is hunted on 
horse-back and ridden down by a long, severe, tail-on-end 
chase. Of several animals in South Africa which are 
hunted in this manner, the Gemsbok is by far the swift¬ 
est and most enduring. ” As all animals require moisture, 
the Gemsbok receives its supply from the succulent plants 
which occur in the regions which it frequents, and more 
especially from the bulb of a liliaceous plant known in 
South Africa as the Water-root, from the power it has of 
absorbing and retaining moisture. From these facts re¬ 
garding the Gemsbok, and which are common to a num¬ 
ber of other species of African antelopes, it will be seen 
how well the desert of Western India would suit them, 
and into which they might be advantageously introduced. 
Passing on to the next division we find another very 
large and peculiar looking Antelope, Portax picta, the 
Nilgai of India, the male of which, when fully adult, 
becomes jet black and is known as the Blue Bull, the female 
being of an entirely different colour, vis., a pale fawn and 
