140 Quadrupeds. 



is perfectly domestic, and very useful for many purposes, 

 being an animal of patience and great strength. When 

 employed in the labours of agriculture, he has a brass ring 

 put through his nose, by which means he is led at pleasure. 

 Buffaloes are common in the Pontine Marshes near Kome, 

 where they were brought from India in the sixth century. 

 In India they constitute the riches and food of the poor, 

 who employ them in their fields, and make butter and 

 cheese from their milk. They are much valued for their 

 hides ; of which, in several countries, and especially in 

 England, military belts, boots, and other implements of 

 war are made. There are various species of Buffaloes, 

 of which the Cape Buffalo, from South Africa, is the best 

 known, and most valuable. 



Buffaloes, in their native country, fight so fiercely with 

 each other, that African travellers have remarked that 

 they are seldom found without torn ears, and scars of 

 various kinds on the neck and body. And they are no 

 less treacherous than ferocious, lurking among the trees 

 in concealment until some unfortunate passenger passes. 

 The animal will then suddenly rush upon him, and there 

 is little chance of the victim escaping unless a tree be at 

 hand. The furious beast, not contented with throwing 

 him down and killing him, stands over him for a long 

 time, trampling on and tearing the body to pieces ; he 

 then strips off the skin with his rough and prickly tongue. 

 Even after all this he repeatedly returns to the body to 

 gratify afresh his savage disposition. 



