Besides the suborbital sinus, a few species of Antelopes possess a differait gland, which runs lengthwise between it and the mouth, in a direction for the most part parallel to the plane of the chaffron or face and nose, and secretes a dark oily substance ; it is, however, entirely external, and has no internal opening like the lachrymal sinus, nor are its uses better known than those of that organ. The former fact, if it can be relied upon, proves at least that it is a sepa rate organ, and not a mere modification of the lachrymal sinus; and, consequently, it may be fairly presumed that its function, whatever it may be, is likewise different.. Another character, but much more generally found to distinguish the Antelopes than even the suborbital sinus derived from the inguinal pores, which are sacs or deep folds of the skin, situated in the groin, opening inwards, and secreting a glutinous substance similar to that of the glands already mentioned.
In the form of the upper lip, an important character among animals which seek their food on the ground, and in which the lips and tongue constitute the only organs of touch and prehension, the Antelopes are as variable and inconstant as in the other characters already described. In some species it forms a broad naked muzzle, as in the ox ; in others it is hairy and attenuated, like that of the goat; and finally, it sometimes assumes an intermediate form, and presents a modification of both these characters. The females are furnished with either two or four teats, forming a small udder ; they usually bring forth but one at a birth, in a few instances two, and the period of gestation differs from five to eight months according to the species.
The hair of the Antelopes is generally short and smooth, and of all equal length over every part of the body ; some however have manes along the neck and 'on the shoulders, composed of long bristly hair, either growing upright or reversed towards the head as in the Oryx ; and a very few species, like the Gnu, are furnished with a beard on the chin and throat. The ears are commonly long, narrow, and pointed, smooth on the outside, and filled internally with long white hair growing in five longitudinal lines, with four naked black spaces between, and forming the appearance which, in describing these animals, is usually denominated striated. The tails are generally short, round, and tufted at the 'extremity, and many species are furnished with little tufts of long black hair, called scam or knee brushes, upon the upper part of the anterior canons, immediately below the carpal joint.
Generally speaking, the Antelopes are gregarious, and unite in large herds, either permanently or at particular seasons of the year, but only for the' purpose of migrating in search of more abundant and grateful pasturage; some species, however, reside in pairs or small families, consisting of an old male and one or more females, with the young of the two foregoing seasons. They are always extremely cautious in guarding against surprise, placing sentinels in various directions about their feeding ground, to warn them of the approach of danger wbilst grazing or reposing ; and their vision and sense of smell are so acute, that it is only by using the greatest caution and circumspection that the hunter can bring them within range of the gun. The names by which the animals themselves are distinguished in all languages, ancient as well as modern, have a direct reference to this quickness of sight, and to the brilliancy of the large black eyes which form so conspicuous a feature in the Antelopes. Thus the word Dorcas (boiais), the Greek and Roman name of the Gazelle, or common Barbary Antelope, is derived from the verb Slincoaal, 'to see.' The common English word Antelope, which zoologists have adopted as the generic name of the group, is a corrupt form of the term .540.4, employed by Eustathius to designate an animal of this genus, and literally signifying 'bright eyes ; ' and, according to the learned Bochart, Tabitha, the name of the disciple raised to life at Joppa, is derived from the Hebrew name of the common Gazelle, and alludes likewise to the beauty of her eyes. Among the Greeks and Romans also, as we learn from Agathias, and others, Dorcas, Dorcalis, and Danialis, all names of different Antelopes, were common names of women likewise, bestowed without doubt on account of the remark able beauty of their eyes ; and Prosper Alpinus, and more recent travellers, inform us that Aine el (Jzazel, ave the eyes of an antelope,' is the greatest compliment which at the present day an oriental admirer can pay to his mistress.
The Bushmen of the Cape often destroy vast numbers of the antelopes with which their country abounds, by poisoning the springs and reser voirs to which they are known to resort, nor is the flesh ever known to be injured by this mode of slaughter; • they also shoot them with poisoned arrows, but in this case the parts immediately around the wound must be cut out before the rest of the body imbibes the poison, which would otherwise penetrate it, and render it unfit for food.