304 FAMILY BOVID^E; BISON, BUFFALO. 



it has never been completely tamed ; it is afraid neither of the 

 Wolf nor of the Bear, and assails its enemies both with its hoofs 

 and its horns. It is extremely sh) , and avoids the approach of 

 Man ; which, from the acuteness of its smell, it can detect at a 

 great distance : but, when accidentally and suddenly fallen in 

 with, it will passionately assail the intruder. The American 

 Bison, commonly but erroneously termed the Buffalo, is very 

 nearly allied to the preceding, both in structure and habits ; it 

 is rather smaller, however, in stature. It was formerly spread 

 more extensively than at present ; but it still exists in the 

 prairies of Louisiana, associating in vast herds, of which some 

 have been estimated to contain 20,000 individuals. 



271. The true Buffaloes are inhabitants of the Old World 

 only, and were originally restricted to Asia and Africa, although 

 they have been introduced into the South of Europe. The 

 common species was originally a native of India, where it has 

 long been domesticated, and where its services as a beast of 

 draught and burden render it extremely valuable. From India 

 it has spread into China, Siam, the Indian Archipelago, &c. ; 

 and also into Egypt, Greece, Italy, and Spain ; in all of these 

 countries there are races which have almost returned to a state of 

 nature, whilst others are brought under subjection to Man. The 

 Buffalo differs materially in its form and general aspect from the 

 Ox ; being a heavier and more clumsy-looking animal, but also 

 a more powerful one. The hide is covered sparingly with black 

 wiry hair; and the horns, which often attain a large size, are 

 first directed backwards, and then turn up sideways. In its 

 native state, it is savage in its temper ; and it does not com- 

 pletely lose its ferocity when domesticated, having been known 

 to turn upon its keeper and destroy him, when irritated by over- 

 work or unkind usage. It is sufficiently strong to be a match 

 for the Tiger, which is often worsted in the conflict. The 

 favourite residence of the Buffalo is the hot morass, in which it lies 

 wallowing for many hours together during the heat of the day ; 

 and it inhabits the most pestilential parts of Italy, seeming to pre- 

 fer the spots in which the malaria (or noxious exhalations), so in- 

 jurious to Man and to most other animals, prevail. These habits 



