this species. On each fore leg it descends almost to the knee joint, and for
some inches above its termination is darker than elsewhere, and completely
encircles the limb ; above the point where the extension commences, the dark
mark is restricted to a portion of the outer and anterior aspects of the leg, and
under the same form in which it exists at the point of union between the body
and limb it ascends upon the outer surface of the shoulder till it reaches within
a few inches of the hunch, where it terminates in an indistinct point. Both
anteriorly and posteriorly the upper portion of this mark is margined with a
stripe of hair of the same colour as that which covers the upper lip ; behind,
the colour descends considerably lower than in front, its termination being
not many inches above the knee joint. On the hinder leg the dark mark
occupies the outer aspect of the thigh, and extends from the hough obliquely
upwards and forwards till it disappears immediately above and outside of the
groin ; towards its lower extremity it also completely encircles a portion of
the limb. Below the knees and houghs, the colour is light reddish orange.
The belly and inner surface of the legs towards the body are rusty white or
dull cream-yellow. The hair of the first third of the tail is of the same colour
as the body, that of the last two-thirds is cream-yellow at the root, and dirty
umber-brown at and towards the point. Eyes, light brownish red; muzzle,
black ; hoofs, blackish brown ; horns, light blackish brown.
F orm , &c.—Figure nearly similar to that of Subalus Caama. The head is
rather compressed, posteriorly it is of considerable depth, anteriorly it is
narrow and attenuated; muzzle narrow and shaped somewhat like the letter
V. Eyes large, and about an inch below the internal angle of each, there is
a small bare spot, about four lines in diameter, with a narrow vertical fissure
along its centre, from which exudes, upon pressure being applied, a thin
glairy fluid. The chin and the upper and lower lips are sparingly sprinkled
with rigid bristles. Ears ovate and pointed, their inner surface coated with
long hair disposed in longitudinal bands. The horns are placed on the
summit of the head, each upon a separate and slightly elevated peduncle ;
they first extend outwards and slightly backwards, then outwards and upwards
in a curve, and lastly, towards the points they form a curvature inwards : their
appearance altogether is very similar to horns which are often seen upon
oxen. The first half of each horn is encircled by a number of slightly raised
rings ; the last half is quite smooth, and throughout the whole of their length
they are nearly cylindrical. The neck is rather slender, and the hunch on
the shoulder is arched and very prominent. The legs are rather slender, and
the hoofs long and narrow. The outline of the back is waved, and strongly
declivous towards the tail; the latter, towards its base, is covered with short
hair; the last two-thirds is fringed posteriorly with long hair, all directed
backwards; the under surface of the tail is bare and the skin soft and
delicate. Teats two, udder and groins covered with short fine hair; no
inguinal pores.
DIMENSIONS.
Ft. Inch. Ft. Inch.
Length from the nose to the base of
the t a i l ................................ 6 10
Distance between the eye and the nose
between the horns at the
0 11
of the tail .... ..................... 1 3 i base..................................... 0 H
from the tip of the nose to the between the horns at the tip 1 1
base of the horns ................ 1 3}j Height at the withers........................ 4 0
of the horns ............................
of the ears.................................
1 1
0 7
at the croup............................ 3 H
The colours of both sexes are nearly the same, and little discrepancy exists
in point of size. The upper part of the neck of the male is generally broader
than that of the female, a circumstance observed in most of the antelope
tribe.
Between the appearances of the horns of Sassaby and Caama there are such marked differences,
that we must at once conclude no valid importance ought to he attached either to the form or
direction of horns in the grouping of species. The subocular glands also differ materially in these
two animals; in Caama, they are covered with short hair, similar to that of the other parts of the
face; in Sassaby they are without covering. In Caama, the last portion of the tail is completely
encircled with hair; in Sassaby the sides and upper surface only are so furnished, the under surface
being bare. In general appearance the two animals present a strong resemblance to each
other.
The Sassaby has rarely been known to advance to the southward of Latakoo, and at present
but few individuals reach the latitude of that place, which the aborigines ascribe to the dread
the animal has of fire-arms. To the northward and eastward of Latakoo, however, specimens
are to be seen in tolerable numbers,, yet not in the abundance in which they occur in the
country northwards of Kurrichane. While A?. Caama seems to prefer the open grassy plains for
its feeding places, the Sassaby apparently delights to resort to situations in the vicinity of wood,
or to such as are actually wooded, and in districts o f the latter description large herds are often
observed feeding among the dense brushwood without apparent concern. All the individuals
we saw near to Latakoo were vigilant in watching our motions, and apparently little disposed
to trust themselves within our reach; while those again on the other side of Kurrichane were
comparatively tame, and though they did not actually resist our approach, yet they often
continued in the situations in which we discovered them, until they were quite within the range
of our guns, and even after being fired at they only retreated slowly, and rarely without frequently
6