142 CONSERVATION OF CANADIAN WILD LIFE 
The anatomy of the buffalo is favourable to the carrying of heavy 
carcasses of beef. They possess an additional pair of ribs as well as 
much longer spines of the vertebra. Although these extra ribs are not 
always perpetuated in the cattalo, the length of back persists. Along 
these spines very heavy muscles are carried, enabling the animal to carry 
an exceedingly high percentage of beef on the back. which is the most 
valuable part of the carcass. 
The value of the pelt of the cattalo is also a matter of importance. It 
possesses many of the qualities of that of the buffalo, but has a better 
colour, and more lustre, and the hair, which possesses considerable curl, 
is nearly as long and not matted. 
The cattalo wintered (1915-16) on a quarter-section of 
land at the Dominion Experimental Station at Scott, Sask. 
They were enclosed within an ordinary wire fence. Al- 
though they grazed to some extent, they were given a 
ration of straw, hay, green-cut oat sheaves, and a few 
roots. Subsequently the cattalo were moved from Scott to 
Wainwright, Alta., where they were placed in a special 
enclosure in the Buffalo Park. Up to the present time, 
however (1919), there have been practically no cattalo 
calves born. 
It is also proposed to carry on cross-breeding experiments 
with the yak, which is closely related to the bison and the 
true oxen. This work will include crosses between the 
yak and domestic cattle, and we would also suggest crosses 
between the bison and yak. 
It is greatly to be hoped that success will attend this 
experimental work, and that the results may be of such a 
character as to demonstrate the wisdom of the step taken 
by the Dominion Department of Agriculture in its effort 
to add to the stock-raising possibilities of our more northerly 
territories. 
