28 THE BUFFALO FAMILY. 



ploits ? This favored country, with all its philanthropy, is 

 not without numerous abettors of similar practices. 



The stature of the Buffalo varies according to food and 

 climate, but his appearance is uniformly wild and stupid. 

 Yet still he possesses many admirable qualities. His 

 strength is great, and he is so well adapted to the plough, 

 as to be able to perform the work of two horses. Conse- 

 quently he is employed with advantage in various kinds of 

 labor, especially in drawing loaded wagons, though he 

 generally declines the carrying of heavy burdens. When 

 travelling in droves, this species keep close together, and 

 he who chances to meet with them, may often see the 

 driver walk from the back of one to the other, with the 

 most perfect coolness. It is asserted, that in Italy they 

 have recovered their native independence ; and both there 

 and in Hungary, such as continue in a domestic state are 

 managed by means of a ring passed through the cartilage 

 of the nose ; in India with a rope. The former practice is 

 very ancient, and it would seem that the Sclavonians 

 brought these ponderous animals with them to the shores 

 of the Baltic. At least we are warranted in thinking so, 

 from the armorial bearings of provinces and families in the 

 north of Germany and Switzerland, unless indeed we are 

 inclined to believe that the urus, or parent of the common 

 ox, required to be ringed for ages, before it was subjected 

 to the voke. 



