THE SMALLEST WILD CATTLE 305 



tamarau, of the island of Mindoro, and the aforesaid 

 extinct Indian species, constitute an altogether peculiar 

 and primitive group of the buffalo tribe. 



In its young state and during middle life the anoa is 

 covered with a fairly thick coat of somewhat woolly hair, 

 which is at first yellowish brown, but eventually becomes 

 dark brown or blackish. In common with other Asiatic 

 buffaloes, the hair is reversed along the middle line of 

 the neck and back as far as the haunches ; that is to 

 say the tips are directed towards the head instead of 

 towards the tail. What may be the precise object of this 

 reversal (which is also met with among many antelopes 

 and deer) is not yet ascertained. Possibly it may have 

 something to do with the manner in which the animals 

 rub themselves against the stems or boughs of trees and 

 bushes. 



In old individuals, especially those of the male sex, 

 the coat of hair almost completely disappears, leaving the 

 black skin bare and shining, like that of old buffaloes in 

 general. This condition has been attained by the bull 

 shown in the foreground of the accompanying photograph. 

 And here it should be remarked that this particular 

 animal has suffered the loss of the greater portion of 

 its tail, which somewhat alters the appearance of its 

 hindquarters. With the usual fatality that attends the 

 grouping of animals, it has also happened that the hind- 

 quarters of the bull are in full view, while those of the 

 cow are concealed. The somewhat spiteful and uncertain 

 temper of the bull is indicated by the circumstance that 

 it was found necessary to affix brass knobs to its horns. 

 From the more typical buffaloes the anoa differs by the 

 general presence of white markings. These usually take 

 the form of a gorget on the lower part of the throat, 



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