THE TRUE OXEN. 



123 



The True Oxen. 



The True Oxen (Bos) are distinguished by 

 their straight back, not elevated at the withers, 

 and by their unarched and not very broad 

 forehead. 



The Yak (Bos (Poephagus) grunnicns), fig. 



194, approaches most closely to the bisons in 

 the possession of a thick coat of hair, elevated 

 withers, and slightly arched brow. The 

 home of these enormous cattle is the moun- 

 tains and plateaux of Tibet, from the height 

 of about 13,000 to 23,000 feet above sea-level. 

 They are the largest members of the genus, 



old bulls sometimes attaining the height of 

 nearly 10 feet at the withers. The very 

 broad head with protruding muzzle and not 

 very broad muffle, carries relatively small 

 horns, which are flattened and near the base 

 ringed. They are placed quite at the side 

 and have their sharp points directed upwards. 

 What specially distinguishes the yak is the 

 woolly covering, consisting of fine silky hair, 

 which is rather loose on the brow, and on the 

 rather hump-like withers forms a long-fringed 

 cushion. The yak has likewise long and 

 partly curly hair on the dewlap and on the 

 legs, which are completely hidden under this 

 covering. The legs are short but strong, 

 with broad hoofs but small accessory hoofs. 

 The long tail resembles that of a horse. Its 



fine silky hair trails upon the ground. The 

 whole fleece is of a deep-black colour with 

 the exception of one silver-gray stripe along 

 the back, and the tail, which is almost white. 

 This splendid animal is at home only in 

 the rocky solitudes of its native region, where 

 it delights in rolling in the snow and bathing 

 in the icy mountain torrents. It runs and 

 climbs well, but is in general sluggish and 

 indolent; it is fond of reposing where it can 

 chew the cud at leisure. Its scent is keen, 

 its sight weak, and its intelligence very 

 limited. It stares stupidly when wounded 

 in the chase, then begins to charge the 

 hunter, but is apt to halt in indecision so as 

 to receive a second ball. The hunting of 

 the yak is carried on very actively, riot only 



