248 



THE ARNEE OX, 



THE Arnee Ox, Bubalus Arnee, Smith, is tne 

 next animal we have to notice, remarkable in many 

 instances, but particularly for the immense develop- 

 ment of the horns, of enormous weight, and forming 

 a curve rising erectly from the side of the head. This 

 animal is a native of China and India ; and from the 

 evidence given by Major Smith, it appears pretty 

 certain that there are two species, or at all events, 

 several very distinct varieties. The one inhabiting 

 Bengal is rather common, of moderate size, and has 

 the horns above three feet in length. The other is 

 found in small families in the forests at the foot of 

 the Himalayas ; and it is thought that the animal met 

 with by Colonel Williamson in one of his hunting ex- 

 cursions, must be referred to this, and not to the 

 True Wild Buffalo, to which the title Arnee is some- 

 times applied, as signifying an ox of very large di- 

 mensions. This animal is described as having a dark 

 nearly black skin, scantily furnished with hair, the 

 skin appearing and shewing the actual colour of the 

 animal, as in the case of many of the ruminant ani- 

 mals inhabiting a very warm climate, many of the 

 African Antelopes, &c. This buffalo (as it is termed 



