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Show 1885.] ANTELOPES OF SOMALI-LAND. 931 nearly due south for about 300 miles, returning to our starting-point on the 16th of the following April. For the first eight miles after leaving the coast we crossed a flat sandy plain, thinly covered with dwarf Mimosas, and then ascended a plateau or tableland of about 3000 feet above the sea-level. This plateau extends to the south for about 280 miles, and there ends as abruptly as on the north, the descent on both sides being very rapid. At the south margin of the plateau runs the Webbe-Shebeyli or Haynes River, through an immense plain. The banks of this river are extensively cultivated by the natives, who grow corn, beans, and water-melons. To any one wishing to know more of the country I would recommend a reference to Mr. F. L. James's account of this journey read before the Royal Geographical Society on the 29th of June of the present year (see Proc. R. Geogr. Soc. 1885, p. 625). The following Antelopes were met with during our expedition. Mr. Sclater has determined the species for me. 1. STREPSICEROS IMBERBIS. (Lesser Koodoo). This beautiful little Koodoo is found on the northern slopes of the plateau. It does not seem to differ much in its habits from the larger Koodoo : it is fond of thick covert, and I do not think it likely that it would be found very far from water. I exhibit a fine head of a male. 2. STREPSICEROS KUDU. (Greater Koodoo.) W e did not meet with this species till we reached the southern slopes of the plateau, where it was said by the natives to be fairly plentiful. One example only was procured, a very fine male. 3. ORYX BEISA. (Beisa Antelope.) This animal is highly prized by the Somali, as from its hide, which is very tough, are made their beautiful little shields, and its long pointed horns are used for loosening the earth during the tedious process of sinking wells. During the rainy season the natives hunt these Antelopes on horseback, and they are easily ridden down, as they are then fat and heavy and their feet sink deep into the wet earth. In the dry season, owing, I suppose, to being hunted so much, it is extremely hard to approach them, and when once disturbed they gallop a long way without stopping. The head on the table is that of a female shot on the plateau. 4. GAZELLA WALLERI. (Waller's Gazelle.) I have here to-night heads of both male and female of this species. The female is without horns. When . seen from a distance this Antelope might easily be mistaken for a Giraffe, on account of its long thin neck. It was found to be fairly plentiful throughout our journey. 5. G A Z E L L A SPEKII. (Speke's Gazelle.) These Gazelles are very plentiful on the low plain near Berbereh, |