6 THE BISON. 



Some varieties of colour have been observed, 

 although the instances are rare. A Missouri trader 

 informed the members of Long's exploring party, 

 that he had seen a greyish white bison, and a year- 

 ling calf, that was distinguished by several white 

 spots on the side, a star or blaze in the forehead, 

 and white fore feet. Mr. J. Doughty, an inter- 

 preter to the expedition, saw in an Indian hut a 

 very well prepared bison head with a star on the 

 front. This was highly prized by the proprietor, 

 who called it his great medicine, for, said he "the 

 herds come every season to the vicinity to seek their 

 white faced companion." 



In appearance the bison cow bears the same re- 

 lation to the bull, that is borne by the domestic cow 

 to her mate. Her size is much smaller, and she 

 has much less hair on the fore part of her body. 

 The horns of the cow are much less than those of 

 the bull, nor are they so much concealed by the 

 hair. The cow is by no means destitute of beard, 

 but though she possesses this conspicuous appen- 

 dage, it is quite short when compared with that of 

 her companion. 



From July to the latter part of December the bi- 

 son cow continues fat. Their breeding season be- 

 gins towards the latter part of July and continues 

 until the beginning of September, and after this 

 month the cows separate from the bulls in distinct 

 herds and bring forth their calves in April. The 

 calves rarely separate from the mother before they 



