82 



Oxen 



pelage, and are therefore well adapted for comparison with the specimens 

 of the European species in the collection, all of which were likewise 

 killed at the same season. For comparison of the cows of the two species, 

 reference may be made to the excellent figures in the memoirs of Messrs. 

 Allen and Hornaday. No one who has seen the British Museum examples 

 can fail to be struck with the very marked diiference between the males 

 of the European and American forms. In stating that the latter, so tar 

 as the typical race is concerned, has generally shorter horns than the 

 former, I am aware that Mr. Rowland Ward has recorded dimensions 

 reached by American specimens exceeding any of those he mentions from 

 Europe. But it must be remembered that in the case of the tormer 

 animal a vastly larger series of specimens is available for selection ; and 

 average specimens are decidedly interior in size to the tew available male 

 skulls of the European bison. 



An adult bull bison v^'eighed by Mr. Hornaday turned the scale at 

 1727 lbs.; and Mr. Rowland Ward states that the general weight may 

 be estimated from about 15 to 20 cwts. 



The following are some of the largest horn-measurements mentioned 

 in Mr. Rowland Ward's book; probably No. 10 and certainly No. 11 

 belonp; to the woodland race : — 



