142 CONSERVATION OF CANADIAN WILD LIFE 



The anatomy of the buffalo is favourable to the carrying of heavy 

 carcasses of beef. They possess an additional pair of ribs as well as 

 much longer spines of the vertebra. Although these extra ribs are not 

 always perpetuated in the cattalo, the length of back persists. Along 

 these spines very heavy muscles are carried, enabling the animal to carry 

 an exceedingly high percentage of beef on the back, which is the most 

 valuable part of the carcass. 



The value of the pelt of the cattalo is also a matter of importance. It 

 possesses many of the qualities of that of the buffalo, but has a better 

 colour, and more lustre, and the hair, which possesses considerable curl, 

 is nearly as long and not matted. 



The cattalo wintered (1915-16) on a quarter-section of 

 land at the Dominion Experimental Station at Scott, Sask. 

 They were enclosed within an ordinary wire fence. Al- 

 though they grazed to some extent, they were given a 

 ration of straw, hay, green-cut oat sheaves, and a few 

 roots. Subsequently the cattalo were moved from Scott to 

 Wainwright, Alta., where they were placed in a special 

 enclosure in the Buffalo Park. Up to the present time, 

 however (1919), there have been practically no cattalo 

 calves born. 



It is also proposed to carry on cross-breeding experiments 

 with the yak, which is closely related to the bison and the 

 true oxen. This work will include crosses between the 

 yak and domestic cattle, and we would also suggest crosses 

 between the bison and yak. 



It is greatly to be hoped that success will attend this 

 experimental work, and that the results may be of such a 

 character as to demonstrate the wisdom of the step taken 

 by the Dominion Department of Agriculture in its effort 

 to add to the stock-raising possibihties of our more northerly 

 territories. 



