_>4 The National Collection 



secure the largest horns, and the series is of zoological value only. We fear 

 that it will be long ere a similar series can be brought together from wild 

 sources. 



Unfortunately, the horns of our Bison are its least imposing feature. On 

 a head which is in good pelage, and possessed of all the hair which Xature gave 

 it, only the terminal half of each horn is visible; and any head which makes a 

 strong showing of horns does so at the expense of the long and shaggy front- 

 let often a foot in length which is literally the crowning glory of a Buffalo 

 bull. 



The Musk-Ox is represented by a very large skull, with horns much worn 

 on the tips, of Oribos icardi, from Franz Josef Fiord, east coast of Greenland. 

 There is also a smaller but very perfect skull and horns from Ellesmere Land 

 (Plate VI, Fig. 5). Neither of these specimens, however, fitly represents the 

 species and both must as soon as possible lie replaced by finer examples. 



The Gaur, or Indian Bison (Plate VI, Fig. 1), is represented by a very 

 good pair of horns 26^4 inches in length, spreading 31 ^ inches, with a dis- 

 tance between tips of 14 1 2 inches. It is really a pity that an animal of such 

 grand bulk should have no pelage to speak of. and be finished off with horns 

 which in size narrowly escape downright insignificance. In looking over a wild 

 herd for the largest bull, it is not easy to pick out the largest pair of horns : but 

 in thick jungle, the whiteness of a bison's horns are a great aid in making out 

 the position of their wearer. 



The wild Buffalo of India, called the Arna (Plate VI, Fig. 8). is far 

 better equipped. His horns are shiny black, conspicuously flattened on their 

 upper surface, and their wide spread is very striking. In the British Museum 

 of Natural History there is a pair which seem to have a spread of at least 

 scrcn feet.' The longest horn has a length on the curve of 77 3 s inches. 



Beside such a giant pair as that the largest known the specimen in the 

 "nucleus collection." with a spread of 56 inches, seems small: but there are 

 many hanging that are smaller. It is worth while to note that the Arna is the 

 progenitor of the race of domestic Buffaloes in use in India and farther east. 

 The former is now rare, and is only to be obtained by diligent search. The 

 "Indian" Buffaloes seen in captivity in this country usually are of the do- 

 mestic breed. The wild animal always is black, both as to skin and horns, but 

 its pelage is too scanty to be noticed. The domestic animal is the least beautiful 

 of all bovine animals. 



In eastern Africa there are two species of Buffaloes, which may instantly 



