76 



Oxen 



killed by wolves and bears is approximately given ; and it appears that in 

 the earlier years from six to eight bison not uncommonly fell annually to 

 wolves, while in one year bears accounted for five. From the years 1873 

 to 1893 only ten head are known to have been destroyed by the former 

 marauders. Indeed, for the last twenty years the devastation to the herd 

 caused by wild animals may be regarded as of no practical importance. 

 With regard to epidemics, there is no doubt that the herd has suffered 



Fig. 15. — Dead European Bison. From Prince Demidoff's Hunting Trips in the Ctiiicisiis. 



much trom diseases ot this nature. It appears, however, that bison enjoy 

 an immunity both from rinderpest and the so-called Siberian pest ; domestic 

 cattle afflicted with these diseases having on several occasions come into 

 contact with their wild cousins in the forest. Another disease, formerly 

 attributed to the ill-effects of a certain grass growing in the Bielowitza 

 swamps, is now ascertained to be due to liver-fiuke. Generally this 

 disease does not do much harm, but in 1884, and again in 1892, it 

 assumed a virulent and almost epidemic form ; in the former year 



