245 



INDIAN OR DOMESTIC BUFFALO. 



Bubaius buflus. 



Bos bubalus of Authors, Smith, &c Buffi e, Buffon, FrenL 

 Cuvier, Hist. Nat. des Mammif. 



THIS animal exists in a wild state in many parts 

 of India, and those in Persia, North Africa, and the 

 south of Europe are used as domestic animals, per- 

 forming labour and carriages, for which purposes they 

 are managed hy a ring through the cartilage of the 

 nose. There is, however, something treacherous 

 and designing in its look and appearance, and among 

 the herds of India there always appears a certain 

 jealousy of strangers, and especially of Europeans, 

 whom they view with a suspicious glance, and riot 

 unfrequently attack without any warning. 



The colour of the domesticated animal is general- 

 ly dark, the hair scattered and coarse, the horns 

 large, reclining backward and sideways, with the tips 

 turned up. With ample feeding and care the tame 

 buffalo becomes a fine animal, sleek and fine-coated, 

 and possessing great spirit and courage. Such are 

 the animals which are picked and trained by the 

 great to exhibit in the contests with the tiger or ele- 

 phant The European domestic race exceed in size 



