70 THE OX TRIBE. 



In concluding these details of the Gayal and Gyall, let 

 it be remarked that, when we hear one animal called Gayal 

 and another Gyall, we are not, on that account merely, 

 to set them down as of the same species. It is hardly 

 necessary to say, that similarity or even identity of name, 

 is not the slightest criterion of identity of species. The 

 name Elephant is popularly applied to that animal, whether 

 brought from Africa or Asia ; they are, nevertheless, ana- 

 tomically distinct. The same observation may be made 

 respecting the Lions of those countries, and various other 

 animals. 



It may further be observed, that the value of external 

 characters in determining a species is very different when 

 applied to ascertain the distinctions of domestic races, to 

 what it is when applied to ascertain the distinctions of 

 animals living in a natural state. In domestication, 

 varieties ramify to an indefinite extent, and under such 

 circumstances external characters are comparatively value- 

 less. But wild animals retain their external characters 

 with undeviating exactness ; exceptional cases may indeed 

 occur, but so very rarely, that they are not worth taking 

 into the account; consequently, external forms, and in 

 some cases even colours, become of importance in ascertain- 

 ing specific distinction. 



