THE AMERICAN BISON. 23 



Young female Bison, after Cuvier. 



The following account, by Dr. Richardson, affords an 

 instance of the danger to be apprehended from these 

 powerful animals, when wounded, and not disabled : 

 " Mr. Finnan M'Donald, one of the Hudson's Bay 

 Company's clerks was descending the Saskatchewan in 

 a boat ; and one evening, having pitched his tent for 

 the night, he went out in the dusk to look for game. 

 It had become nearly dark when he fired at a Bison 

 bull, which was galloping over an eminence; and as he 

 was hastening forward to see if this shot had taken effect, 

 the wounded beast made a rush at him. He had the 

 presence of mind to seize the animal by the long hair 

 on the forehead, as it struck him on the side with its 

 horn, and being a remarkably tall and powerful man, a 

 struggle ensued, which continued until his wrist was 

 severely sprained, and his arm was rendered powerless; 

 he then fell, and after receiving two or three blows, 

 became senseless. Shortly afterwards he was found by 



