THE EVEN-TOED UNGULATES 367 



retain many wild traits, feeding at night or in the evening, calving 

 in the security of the woods, etc. 



The Zebu, or Brahmin Bull, is a native of India, and has 

 short horns, large drooping ears, and a high hump upon the back, 

 as well as an ample dewlap falling in undulating folds along the 

 whole length of the neck. It varies greatly in size, some individuals 

 being no bigger than an average month-old calf, and is of a gentle, 

 mild disposition. These Bulls, which are consecrated to Siva, are 

 objects of the greatest veneration to the pious Hindoos, who 

 permit them to help themselves to the contents of the fruiterers' 

 stalls, and if they select the middle of some narrow street in which 

 to lie down and doze, are left undisturbed, all traffic being held up 

 or diverted until the sacred animal chooses to arise and go on 

 its way. 



The Gour, the Gayal, and the Banting are three species of 

 wild cattle found in the Oriental world, from India to Java, peculiar 

 in possessing a ridge running along the middle of the back, and 

 horns, which, after running outwards from the head, are directed 

 upwards and not backwards. Of these the Gour of Central India 

 is the largest. Its colour is a glossy deep-brown or black, excepting 

 a ring of white encircling the base of each hoof, and a white tuft 

 on the forehead. The horns are about two feet in length, strong 

 and curved boldly upwards. The Gayal carries its nose forwards, 

 as a rule, like a buffalo. Its ears are long, and it possesses a smaller 

 dewlap than the zebu. Its general colour is a varying and gener- 

 ally dark brown, the abdomen and legs being white in parts ; the 

 horns are conical, turned directly outwards, and a little upwards 

 at their tips and do not exceed a foot and a half in length. 



Closely related to the oxen are the Bisons of Europe and of 

 North America, together with the Tibetan Yak. The two species 

 of Bison agree closely with one another in general appearance, 

 the American form being shorter and weaker in the hind-quarters, 

 and a little smaller altogether. The hair of the head and neck 

 is very abundant and long, forming a mane of very dark colour, 

 at the same time that it nearly conceals the eyes and ears as well 

 as the base of the short conical horns, which are diverted out- 

 wards and upwards. Under the chin there is a lengthy beard, 

 and a line of long hair extends along the back nearly to the 

 tail, which is terminated by a lengthy tuft. There is a hump 



