The African Buffalo. 



139 



THE AFEiCAN BUFFALO. (Bulalus Ca/er.) 



Is its general form the Buffalo has a great resemblance 

 to the ox ; but it differs from that animal in its horns, 

 and in some particulars of its internal structure. It is 

 larger than the ox ; the head is also bigger in proportion, 

 the forehead higher, and the muzzle longer. The horns 

 are large, and of a compressed form, with the exterior 

 edge sharp ; they are straight for a considerable length 

 from their base, and then bend slightly upward. The 

 general colour of the animal is blackish, except the fore- 

 head and the tip of the tail, which are of a dusky white. 

 The hunch is not, as many have supposed it, a large 

 fleshy lump, but is occasioned by the bones that form the 

 withers being continued to a greater length than in most 

 other animals. Buffaloes are found in most parts of the 

 torrid zone, and of almost all warm climates ; always 

 dwelling in moist and marshy places, where they delight 

 to roll in the mire. In a wild state, the Buffalo is ex- 

 ceedingly fierce ; but in some of the tropical countries he 



