366 



UNGULATA 



(which are black in colour), owing to the absence of the intercor- 

 nual crest of the latter. The horns are also shorter, more rounded, 

 and less curved. In the Indian Museum, Calcutta, there are, how- 

 ever, skulls which are to a great extent intermediate between those 

 of typical Gaurs and those of typical Gayals, but these may belong 

 to hybrids. The Gayal occurs in Assam, Chittagong, and adjacent 

 districts, but it appears that these animals exist in a semi-domestic- 

 ated condition, no wild race being known to Europeans, although 

 it is probable that such may exist in the unexplored Mishmi Hills. 



FIG. 150. The Gayal (Bos frontalis). From Sclater, List of Animals in Zoological 

 Society s Gardens, 1883. 



The Banteng (B. sondaicus) is a smaller and lighter built animal 

 than either of the preceding, with a longer and sharper head, and 

 more rounded and slender horns. The dorsal ridge is, moreover, 

 but slightly developed ; while the bright dun colour of the body 

 of the female readily distinguishes it from the darker hue of the 

 Gaur and Gayal. 



A fossil skull from the Pleistocene deposits of the Narbada 

 valley, India, described as Bos palceogaurus, is believed to indicate 

 a species nearly allied to the Gaur, if indeed it be specifically 

 distinct. 



