Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/477

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THE BLAAUWBOK.
447

5. Blaauwbok bull shot near Tiger Hoek by Le Vaillant's Hottentot attendant in December, 1781. The French naturalist was fully aware of the value of his specimen, and took a drawing of it on the spot. The skin was carefully preserved.

6. Another specimen (a bull) seen by Le Vaillant during his stay in South Africa, 1781-85 ('Travels in Africa,' cf. vol. i. p. 133).

7. A Blaauwbok bull presented to the Governor subsequently to 1782, during Le Vaillant's stay at Cape Town.

8. A Blaauwbok bull had been preserved at Amsterdam for fifteen years in good condition before Le Vaillant saw it. He tells us that all the specimens he saw were much the same, thus unconsciously strengthening the claim of H. leucophæa to rank as a distinct species.

9. A specimen shot in 1799, and preserved at Berlin. Described by Lichtenstein in 1814. I do not know if this specimen is still in existence.

10, 11. "Some" shot in 1800, and sent to Leyden in skin (Lichtenstein). The last of their race.

12. Blaauwbok cow preserved at Vienna. Still in existence.

13. Blaauwbok still preserved at Stockholm. Mentioned by Sundevall, who, in his letter to Dr. Gray, pointed out the distinction between H. leucophæa and H. equina. Gray, however, united the two species.

14. Blaauwbok preserved at Upsala. Still extant.

15. Blaauwbok bull preserved at Paris. This was for many years supposed to be the only specimen of the animal in existence. Harris states that this example was unique, and that it was supposed to have come from the collection of the Stadtholder of Holland. Several zoologists of great eminence have declared it to be an immature Roan. Still in existence.

16. Finally, I may mention the very handsome Blaauwbok preserved at Leyden, which, by the kindness of the Museum authorities, I have examined, photographed, and measured. I do not know any particulars of date or history regarding this specimen.

This very fine specimen probably carries the record horns. Measurements of horns: length (along curve), 2425 in.; max. circumference, 645 in.; max, divergence, 825 in.; min, divergence,