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CAPE BUFFALO.— ^///^^//^^ C^fr. 



The Cape Buffalo is a most tcM-riljlc animal in aspect and in character. 

 The heavy bases of the horns, tliat nearly unite over the forehead, and mider 

 whicli the little fierce eyes twinkle with sullen rays, give to the creature's 

 countenance an appearance of morose, lowering ill-temper, which is in perfect 

 accordance with its real character. 



Owing to the enormous heavy mass which is situated on the forehead, the 

 Cape BufTalo docs not see very well in a straight line, so that a man may sometimes 

 cross the track of a Buffalo Avithin a hundred yards, and not be seen by the animal, 

 provided that he walks quietly, and does not attract attention by the sound of his 

 footsteps. This animal is always a dangerous neighbour, but when it leads a 

 solitary life among the thickets and marshy places, it is a worse antagonist to a 

 casual passenger than even the lion himself. In such a case, it has an unpleasant 

 habit of remaining quietly in its lau' until the unsuspecting traveller passes closely 

 to its place of concealment, and then leaping suddenly upon him, di-ipping with 

 mud, and filled with rage. 



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