98 CAPE BUFFALO. 



They were originally introduced into Italy from the 

 opposite continent of Africa, by the Lombards, about 

 thirteen hundred years ago, and, in many parts of that 

 country, they now constitute an essential part both of 

 the riches and food of the poor. Of the skin of the 

 Buffalo, which is peculiarly strong and thick, is made 

 a most durable kind of leather, called buff. Their 

 flesh resembles our beef; and butter and cheese are made 

 from their milk. The horns, as being of finer texture, 

 and bearing a better polish than those of the ox, are in 

 great request for every purpose to which horn is applied. 

 The Buffalo is considerably larger than the ox, though 

 in their general form there is a near resemblance. The 

 chief difference consists in the horns, which, in the Buf- 

 falo, are large and flat, extended first outwards, then up- 

 ward, and finally bent inwards at the end. The general 

 colour of the animal is blackish, except the forehead and 

 tip of the tail, which are of a dusky white. 



Cape Buffalo. The savage ferocity, and fierce and 

 malignant aspect of the Cape Buffalo, are such as to 

 inspire with terror the travellers in the neighbourhood of 

 those savannahs and plains in the southern parts of 

 Africa, where it is principally found. These animals 

 associate in large herds, retiring into the woods during 

 the day, and issuing from their retreats in the evening 

 and night, in order to graze. It is singular that so 

 much malignity should be found in a beast which subsists 

 only on vegetable food ; but such is undoubtedly the 

 case. Treacherous in the extreme, they frequently con- 

 ceal themselves among the woods, and rush out from 

 thence upon the passing traveller, who has no chance of 

 escape, but by climbing the nearest tree. Flight is of 



