Guide to the great fame animals (Ungulata) in the Department of Zoology, British Museum (Natural History) : Illustrated by 53 text and other figures.

  • British Museum (Natural History). Department of Zoology.
Date:
1907
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Guide to the great fame animals (Ungulata) in the Department of Zoology, British Museum (Natural History) : Illustrated by 53 text and other figures. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    [West Corridor. Case X.] [Cases VII &X.] [Lower Mammal Gallery.] The Addax [Addax nasomaculatus, 1190), of North Africa and Syria, is a near relative of the Antelopes of the genus Hippotragusy from which it differs structurally by the horns forming an open spiral, ascending nearly in the plane of the face, these being ringed for the greater part of their length. The forehead, neck, throat, and shoulders are clothed in winter with long shaggy hair. In habits, the Addax is very similar to the Oryxes, dwelling in deserts, and being apparently independent of watery its pale colouring, especially in summer, is an adaptation to desert life. The Addax Antelope. Genus Addax. The Oryx Group The Gemsbuck {Oryx gazella, 1191) of South Africa, with certain allied species, constitutes a Genus Oryx. genus nearly allied to Hippotragus, but distinguished by the straight or recurved horns (fig. 17) sloping backwards more or less nearly in the plane of the face. Oryx, as these Antelopes are collectively called, are found throughout the desert-tracts of Africa, and also in Arabia and Syria. The Gemsbuck (O. gazella) is a South African species; in Abyssinia and Somaliland it is re- placed by the Beisa Oryx (O. beisa, 1192), in which the black markings have a different arrangement; while in East Africa it is represented by the Fringe-eared Oryx (O. callotis, 1193).. The Scimitar Oryx (O. algazal, 1194) is from North-Eastern Central Africa. Oryx are desert Antelopes, generally found in herds of considerable size, although the old males sometimes separate from the others. They are independent of water, and flourish where the vegetation is scanty. The Gemsbuck has been known to kill the Lion by transfixing it with its horns. The Gazelles The Gazelles form the largest genus of the subfamily Genus Antilopina. The subfamily is characterised by the Gazella. narrow crowns of the molars, which are similar to those of the Sheep, and the hairy muzzle. Generally there are face- glands below the eyes; and the tail is moderate or short. Pits are present in the forehead of the skull, and the horns are ringed for part of their length, with a compressed base ; their form being often lyrate, but sometimes spiral. Gazelles inhabit open, and frequently more or less desert districts. They are mostly of a sandy colour, with dark and light markings on the face, and often a dark band on the flanks. The horns are more or less lyrate, and
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