The gazelle is a small antelope mainly found in the deserts, grasslands and savannas of Africa, as also in Arabia, Syria, and Persia, where it is seen in large herds. It is about two feet in height, and is the fleetest of all quadrupeds. The gazelle is noted for the exquisite beauty of its form. Its eyes are large, dark, and lustrous. Oriental women are supposed to be much pleased when told that they have the eyes of a gazelle. The given name, Dorcas, is the Grecian word for gazelle. Before the day of the rifle gazelles were hunted with the falcon and the greyhound. Flying at the gazelle's eyes the falcon was able to retard its movements until the greyhound could come up. Gazelles were tamed by the Syrians, but, like wild deer, they long for the free life of their relatives. There are in all over twenty species.
