THE YAK. 



THIS animal is called by Bigland, " the Grunting Ox." 

 It is a large animal of the Ox kind, somewhat resembling 

 our bison ; but it has larger horns, a tail like that of the 

 horse, and another peculiarity consists in its grunting like 

 a hog, instead of lowing like the majority of the Ox kind. 

 Its colors are chiefly black and white ; and its hair is long, 

 and somewhat curly. It is a native of Tartary, and abounds 

 principally in Thibet, where it lives in wild herds among 

 the mountains ; this wild breed are exceedingly fierce, and 

 will turn with great fury upon any assailant. The inhab- 

 itants of that country have also a domestic breed, which 

 answers the purposes of our horned cattle, being used both 

 for draft and burden. It is often employed to go upon long 

 journeys. 



The tail of this animal is much esteemed in Thibet, and 

 sold at a high price, as an ornament, being very long and 

 bushy. When mounted in a silver handle, it is much used 

 by persons of distinction in India, being employed for the 

 purpose of driving away the swarms of flies. It is also 

 sometimes fixed to the ears of the elephant, by way of or- 

 nament. When dyed of various colors, and the hair formed 

 into tufts, it is used by the Chinese to adorn their bonnets. 



