Elais

[Gr. elaion, oil.] ( Bot.) A genus of plants, ord. Palmaceæ. The two species E. guineensis and horse, measuring generally a little more than eight feet in length, and standing full five feet at the shoulder. The horns of the male are thick and heavy, and about a foot and a half in length. They are straight till they arrive at about three inches from the tips, where they bend outwards. They are also surrounded by a thick spiral wreath, which becomes indistinct at the points. The horns of the female eland are longer and smaller, and the spiral wreath is often absent. In both sexes the head is long and pointed, the ears large, the neck thick, and in front of the chest is a loose hanging skin or dewlap, with a border of long hair on its margin. A short erect mane of dark brown hair runs from the centre of the forehead to the root of the tail. This mane is directed backwards along the spine, but is reversed on the neck. The tail is more than two feet long, and terminates in a tuft of long black hair. The flesh of the E. , according to Dr. Living stone, is superior to beef. Ela'nus, n. (Zool.) A genus of birds, order Falconida , distinguished by having the wings long and pointed, and the tail not forked. The White-tailed Hawk, E. leucarus , inhabits S. America, and is also found in our Western and Southern States.