BUFFALO AND BISON 291 



The mithan of Assam is identical in every way 

 with the gaur bison of India, although for a long 

 time he has been classified as a variety (Eos frontalis] 

 having a flat forehead and straight out-growing horns. 

 This type, however, is only obtained amongst the 

 tame or semi-wild beasts in Lushai and Naga Hills. 



The Indian bison is to be found in the Central 

 Provinces of India, and in Lower Bengal as far as 

 Raipur and Sambulpoor, also in Madras in the western 

 portion, Canara Jungles, the Nilgiri Hills, and 

 Travancore, Mysore, and the Wynad. Some years 

 ago I paid a visit to the Mundla district of the 

 Central Provinces with a view of hunting the gaur 

 and swamp deer, or " gond," of which latter there are 

 a great number, as well as sambhur and cheetah In 

 fact, this region, if permission be obtained to hunt in 

 the fire-protected forests, is a perfect paradise for a 

 sportsman. I arrived at Jubalpore in December, and 

 having made arrangements with the Forest Officer 

 for permission to hunt, I outfitted with the necessary 

 stores for a month's trip. These I loaded on camels 

 and despatched to Mandla, a small civil station in 

 the heart of the forest. Between Jubalpore and 

 Mandla there is a good driving road, but after that 

 nothing but pack animals can travel. I may as well 

 here mention that a camel load of soda-water should 

 always be taken by the sportsman in this district, as 

 the water is highly malarious. Plenty of quinine for 

 self and servants is also a necessity. 



Having given my outfit a couple of days' start, 

 I followed on a horse gharri, as the postchaise of 



