1 42 MAMMALS. 



4th Section. Oxen (Bos.) (Map 37.) 



Common Ox — (Bos taurus.) — Like all domestic animals, the domesticated Ox has many- 

 varieties ; the extreme steps of which, if unconnected by transition links, might readily be considered 

 distinct species. The humped Zebu of India, which is found in many of the warmer parts of 

 Asia, and also on the east coast of Africa, looks very distinct from our common Ox, and by 

 some is regarded as a distinct species ; but there is no osteological difference, and we can trace 

 steps of transition through other breeds ; for example, the Italian breed is something like it in 

 colour, and in it a thickening on the shoulders, indicating a tendency to ahmnp, begins to show itself. 



Banteng (Bos Sondaicus). — Through the observations of Mr. Blyth, this species is now known 

 to be found all through the Malayan Peninsula, from Singapore northwards into Birma ; it 

 occurs also in Cambodia, Siam, and Cochin China. It is not found in Sumatra, but occurs in Java, 

 Borneo, Bali, and Lombok, and would appear to be extensively domesticated in Bali. Its general 

 domestication is one reason why I think it may have been introduced into Borneo, although now 

 found there in a feral state. 



Gaour and Gayaul (Bos gaurus, and Bos frontalis). — Two Indian species which are 

 considered by many authors to be the same, or at the utmost merely varieties. The Gaour is 

 found over most of the Peninsida of India, wherever a suitable habitat occurs. It also extends 

 into the Indo-Chinese region and throughout the Malayan, but its range does not extend to the 

 Great Eastern Islands. 



The Gayaul is confined to the Hill regions east of the Brahmaputra, and extends thence north- 

 wards to the sub-Himmalayan districts, and southwards into the Tennasserim provinces. 



An extinct species, B. primigenius, inhabited Europe dui-ing the post-glacial epoch, and from 

 its close resemblance in size and strength to the strongest races of the domestic Ox, is reckoned to 

 have been the original stock from which the latter sprung. Its remains have been found in many 

 places in England, France, Germany, Italy, &c., both in the di-ift and in peat-bogs. 



"With this was associated in Britain and Ireland another extinct species (Bos longifrons, OhTn)> 

 which continued to exist until the historical period, and, according to Professor Owen, was probably 

 the source of the domesticated cattle of the Celtic races before the Roman invasion. 



