86 



THK OX TRIBE. 



THE CAPE BUFFALO. 



Bos Coffer. 



This species of ox is only to be found in Africa, and is 

 chiefly confined to the wooded districts lying north of the 

 Cape of Good Hope. What Lavater endeavours to prove 

 of the human being, namely, that the face is the index 

 of the mind or disposition, may be applied, with at least 

 equal truth, to the Cape Buffalo. His broad, projecting 

 muzzle, lowering eyebrows, shaggy pendulous ears, sur- 

 mounted by a pair of huge horns, give a look of bold 

 determination to this animal, which forms a tolerably 

 correct index of his character; his firm-set limbs and 

 bulky body convey a no less adequate idea of his enormous 

 strength. 



These animals are gregarious, living in small herds in 

 the brushwoods or open forests, of Caffraria, occasionally 

 uniting in large droves. Old bulls are often met with 



