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Show 540 SIR V. BROOKE ON THE GENUS GAZELLA. [June 3, 1870. G. dorcas, Blanf. Geol. and Zool. Abyss, p. 261. Hair very short and soft. Central facial band sandy rufous. Nose-spot absent. Light facial streak present but indefinite, running into the dark facial streak, which is in some specimens but faintly marked ; dark lateral band almost obsolete ; light lateral band of a delicate pale fawn-colour, distinctly visible against the isabelline sandy fawn-colour of the back and haunches. Tail variable, but generally rufous for a large part of its length, the tip blackish. Horns short, massive, and strongly ringed, the tips bent suddenly forwards and inwards. Ears very long. Height less than that of the last species. Hab. Kordofan ; Senaar. The principle which I have allowed to influence m e in retaining under a name and description distinct from that applied to the Gazelles of Egypt and N . Africa, the Gazelles from Senaar and Kordofan, is contrary to that which generally obtains in like cases. It is not that I believe that the diagnosis above given will be found invariably to sever the individuals obtained in one locality from those obtained in the other. On the contrary, I am convinced that every intermediate degree will be found represented in the intermediate countries, if not upon the confines of the countries which are supposed to be the home proper of each race or persistent modification. I have lately received from Mr. Gerrard some specimens of a Gazelle from the Bogos country. In these the general texture of the hair is entirely that of Gazella isabella, while the intensity of the facial and other markings, and the intermediate growth and character of the horns, places them in a position exactly intermediate to those of Egypt and Kordofan. At the same time, perhaps, amongst the smaller Gazelles, no two species could produce two more dissimilar animals than typical specimens of Gazella dorcas and Gazella isabella. Having seen both animals living, I speak with more confidence than would be the case from the examination of museum specimens alone. If, therefore, a command of a large series of specimens reveals intermediate forms between two well-marked and persistent races, a considerable probability is afforded that, all conditions being alike, where, from a paucity of knowledge and specimens, two persistent modifications or species of the group appear definitely severed, a larger number of specimens would produce similar intermediate forms. 3. GAZELLA RUFIFRONS. 1764. La Corine, Buff. H . N . xii. p. 261, pl. 27, $ . 1781. Corine, Pennant, Quad. p. 89. 1801. , Shaw, Zool. p. 353, plate 194. 1822.' Leporine } ' R Cuvier' H" N' M" PlateS' 1820. Antilope dorcas, Desmarest, M a m m . p. 453 (part.). 1829. A. dorcas $, Fisch. Syn. p. 459. 1836. A. corina, Goldf. Schreb. Suppl. v. p. 1193, pis. 270, 271. 1846. Gazella rufifrons, Gray, Ann. Nat. Hist, xviii. p. 214. |
