96 THE TIMOR BUFFALO. 



legs. Its hide is like that of a hog, a red and 

 chapped skin appearing through a thin covering 

 of rigid hairs, of a dark-gray colour. The cry 

 this animal makes is peculiarly shrill, resembling 

 that of an infant in distress ; and is altogether 

 different from the lowing of the ordinary 

 European ox. The flesh is well developed, and 

 of good flavour ; hut it is a curious fact, that 

 however well conditioned it may be, the carcase 

 never affords tallow, and but little fat of any de- 

 scription. A few buffaloes, chiefly cows with their 

 calves, are domesticated in the settlement ; 

 while vast herds roam over the country, grazing 

 on the coarse pasturage that clothes the de- 

 clivities of the hills. In this state of freedom 

 they are often so mischievous, that the natives 

 seldom visit their more secluded haunts without 

 the protection of a musket. When captured for 

 the use of shipping, they are brought to the 

 coast in a very excited state, and taken on 

 board by swimming ; and it is remarkable, that 

 however savage the buffalo may be when on 

 land, he is no sooner placed on the novel or in- 

 secure footing of a ship's deck, than he becomes 

 quiet and docile, and may be approached and 

 handled with impunity. The stalk of the plantain- 

 tree is the best provision that can be made for 

 their support at sea, since they eat it with 



