308 



ENORMOUS HORNS OF CATTLE. 



The Bechuana cattle (of greater bulk and stouter propor- 

 tions) seem to surpass the Damara cattle in this respect. 

 Among many other curious and interesting objects, there is 

 now in the collection of Colonel Thomas Steel, of Upper 

 Brook Street, a perfect cranium of a young Bechuana ox,* 



SKtTLL OP A BECHUANA OX. 



of which the wood-cut is a fair representation. The follow- 

 ing are its dimensions : 



Entire length of horns from tip to tip along the curve... 13 ft. 5 in. 



Distance (straight) between the tips of the horns 8 8i 



Circumference of horns at the root 1 Q^ 



Breadth of cranium between the eyes 9|: 



Length " " " 2 2 



But I have been told on good authority that in some parts 

 of Africa horns of cattle are found greatly to exceed the above 

 dimensions. The horns, indeed, are of so enormous a size 

 as seriously to inconvenience the animal. Their length and 

 weight have been known to be so great as to twist the head 

 to one side, one of the horns dragging on the ground, while 

 the other pointed upward. 



The Damaras prize their oxen in proportion to the size of 



* This remarkable beast was a long time in the possession of Mr. 

 Aswell, who, I believe, intended to bring it alive to England, but un- 

 avoidable circumstances prevented this distinguished traveler from car- 

 rying his plan into execution. 



