Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 1.djvu/245

 Like the flora, the fauna of this Abyssinian district aleo presents a great diversity, although on the whole the types are similar. Shoa appears to be the home of the colubus guereza, an ape with a splendid black and white fur, which gives it a monkish appearance. The superstitious natives regard these animals almost as hermits, in consequence of their shy habits and the colour of their coats, In the Awash basin are also found oxen, distinguished beyond all others for the size of their horns, which attain a length of some six feet, with a thickness of six inches at the base. The upland prairies are overrun by a zebra, equus Grevyi, with

extremely curious purple-black stripes. The Galla horse, which dies if taken for from its native mountains, has the thin legs, delicate head, full and shapely crupper, and the fire and obstinacy found amongst the pure Russian breeds. The animal most appreciated in Southern Abyssinia, from an economical point of view, is the civet cat (civetta viverra), whose musky secretion is monopolised by many of the sovereigns of the country. The males, who alone furnish this essence, are kept in packs of from one to three hundred, each animal being enclosed in a long cage made so narrow as to prevent him turning round; the