AUROCHS.—Bison Bonassus. 
ALTHOUGH some of the preceding animals have been popularly called by the name ot 
Bison, they have no more right to that title than have the Bisons to the name of buffalo, 
which is so frequently bestowed upon them. All the true Bisons may be known by the 
short, crisp, woolly hair with which the body is covered, and which hangs in heavy 
masses over the head and shoulders of the male animal. 
To the Bisons belongs the AuRocHs, or Bonassus, the former name being a corruption 
of the word Auer-Ochs. It is also commonly known by the name of Zubr. This animal 
is now almost, if not exclusively, confined to the forest of Bialowikza, in Lithuania, a 
locality which is peculiarly suitable to its habits on account of the large marshy districts 
with which it abounds. In order that this magnificent animal may be preserved in 
perfection, it is protected by the most stringent forest laws. The Aurochs gives forth a 
powerful and curious odour, which is far from unpleasant, and partakes equally of the 
characters of musk and violet. This perfume is found to penetrate the whole of the body 
to a certain extent, but is exhaled most powerfully from the skin and hair which covers 
the upper part of the forehead. It is found in both sexes, but is much weaker in the cow 
than in her mate. 
Although not so large as some of the preceding animals, standing only about six 
feet in height at the summit of the elevated shoulder, it is strongly and muscularly 
built, and is a terrible foe to any antagonist that may happen to arouse its ire. Like the 
buffalo, it has no fear of predaceous animals, a single Aurochs being supposed to be an 
overmatch for several hungry wolves. In general, it is shy, and fearful of the presence 
of man, slipping quietly away as soon as its acute senses perceive the symptoms of human 
neighbourhood ; but if wounded or irritated, it fights most desperately, using its short, 
