(P. Z. S. 1893, p. 238.)
“The animal from which this skull and skin were taken was killed by a native, and spoilt as a specimen for mounting before I got it; hence the skin is sent merely for purposes of identification. It would not be difficult, however, to procure others, as they seem fairly plentiful in parts.”
Mr. H. M. Barber, F.R.G.S., a well-known authority on the game-animals of South-east Africa, has lately forwarded to Sclater a description of an Antelope and a photograph of its head, which are, no doubt, also referable to the present species. Mr. Barber states that the Antelope in question is found in the neighbourhood of Delagoa Bay, between the Tembe and Maputa Rivers, and is of a mouse-colour with a reddish head, standing about a foot in height. He describes its habits as follows:—“It frequents reeds and low-lying scrub along the river banks, and is also found amongst the bracken which constitutes the undergrowth of the forests in those parts. The annulations of the horns of the living bucks are often completely filled up by bark of the trees which the buck is in the habit of rubbing up against. This gives the horns a peculiar yellowish-brown appearance.”
Our illustration of the skull of this Antelope (fig. 25) has been kindly lent to us by the Council of the Zoological Society of London.
It may be remarked that the most southern (Zululand) examples of this Antelope seem to exceed those of the Zambesi in size and richness of colour. It is therefore possible that intermediate specimens, connecting the Zambesi form with the N. moschatus of the north, may hereafter be found in the intervening districts, but until this occurs it is better to recognize the two species as distinct.
December, 1895.
Genus V. NEOTRAGUS.
| Type. | |
| Neotragus, H. Sm. Griff. An. K. v. p. 349 (1827) | N. pygmæus. |
| Tragulus, Ogilb. P. Z. S. 1836, p. 138 (nec Pall.) | N. pygmæus. |
| Minytragus, Glog. Naturg. p. 154 (1841) | N. pygmæus. |
| Spinigera, Less. N. Tabl. R. A., Mamm. p. 178 (1842) | N. pygmæus. |
| Nanotragus, Sund. Pecora, K. Vet.-Ak. Handl. 1844, p. 191 (1846) | N. pygmæus. |
Size very small. No auricular glands nor accessory hoofs. Tail of median length.
Skull with its muzzle unusually well ossified, so that there are no anteorbital vacuities, nor extra vacuities in the maxillo-premaxillary suture. Anteorbital fossæ very large. Nasal opening a vertical oblong, its sides not bowed outwards.