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Quadrupeds. 
THE GNU. (Antilope Gnu.) 
This very singular animal is sometimes called a horned 
horse ; as it has the shape and mane of a horse, with the 
addition of a formidable pair of horns, a kind of beard 
below the chin, and a fringe of hair below the body, 
along the breastbone. The Gnus live together in herds, 
and when alarmed, fling up their heels, and plunge and 
rear, tossing their heads and tails, before they gallop off; 
which they do, the whole herd following their leader 
singly, like a troop of soldiers. The Gnu inhabits the 
sandy deserts of South Africa ; and its flesh, which is 
said to resemble beef, is sometimes eaten by the colonists 
near the Cape of Good Hope. When caught young the 
Gnu may be tamed, but its disposition is always uncer- 
tain, and when offended it throws itself on its knees, 
like the nyl ghau, and then springing up, butts furiously 
with its horns. 
