484 MamMALIA OF INDIA. 
and heavy. Behind the neck and immediately above the shoulder rises 
a gibbosity or hump of the same height as the dorsal ridge. This ridge 
rises gradually as it goes back, and terminates suddenly about the middle 
of the back ; the chest is broad ; the shoulder deep and muscular ; the 
fore-legs short, with the joimts very short and strong, and the arm ex- 
ceedingly large and muscular; the hair on the neck and breast and beneath 
is longer than on the body, and the skin of the throat is somewhat loose, 
giving the appearance of a slight dewlap; the fore-legs have a rufous 
tint behind and laterally above the white. The hind-quarters are lighter 
and lower than the fore, falling suddenly from the termination of the 
dorsal ridge; the skin of the neck, shoulders, and thigh is very thick, 
being about two inches and more. 
“The cow differs from the bull in having a slighter and more graceful 
head, a slender neck, no hump; and the points of the horns do not turn 
towards each other at the tip, but bend slightly backwards, and they 
are much smaller; the legs too are of a purer white. The very young 
bull has the forehead narrower than the cow, and the bony frontal ridge 
scarcely perceptible. The horns too turn more upwards. In old in- 
dividuals the hair on the upper parts is often worn off. The skin of the 
under parts when uncovered is deep ochrey-yellow.”—‘ Mammals of 
India,’ p. 302. 
The fineness of the leg below the knee is another noticeable feature, 
and also the well- formed pointed hoof, which leaves an imprint like 
that of a large deer. Mr. Sanderson states in his book that the bison, 
after a sharp hunt, gives out an oily sweat, and in this peculiarity 
he says it differs from domestic cattle, which never sweat under any 
exertion. This I have not noticed. 
The period of gestation seems to be about the same as that of 
the domestic cow, and the greatest number of calves are born in the 
summer. 
S1zE.—I cannot speak personally, for I regret now that I took no 
measurements in the days when I was acquainted with these magnificent 
animals, but the experiences of others I give as follows :— 
Sir Walter Elliot gives— 
Les] 
o 
loon 
i] 
Nose to root of tail. . 64 
Height at shoulder (over 18 hands !). Iz 
>», atrump etc : 3 
Tails: 10% 
Length of dorsal ridge . 
Height of Ay 44 
Head from muzzle to top of frontal ridge 
Breadth of forehead ; 
Ear . 
Circumference of horn at base. : 
Distance between the points of the horns 
Ne ORFN OW NWN DO 4 
aS 
