COW KIND. 24-5 



abundance. In the warm countries, almost all 

 their cheese is made of the milk of the buffalo ; 

 and they supply butter also in large quantities. 

 The veal of the young buffalo is not better eating 

 than the beef of the old. The hide of this ani- 

 mal seems to be the most valuable thing he fur- 

 nishes. The leather made of it is well known for 

 its thickness, softness, and impenetrability. As 

 these animals are in general larger and stronger 

 than the cow, they are usefully employed in agri- 

 culture. They are used in drawing burdens, and 

 sometimes in carrying them, being guided by a 

 ring, which is thrust through their nose. Two 

 buffaloes yoked in a waggon are said to draw 

 more than four strong horses : as their heads and 

 necks are naturally bent downward, they are thus 

 better fitted for the draught, and the whole weight 

 of their bodies is applied to the carriage that is to 

 be drawn forward. 



From the size and bulk of the buffalo, we may 

 be easily led to conclude that he is a native of 

 the warmer climates. The largest quadrupeds 

 are generally found in the torrid zone ; and the 

 buffalo is inferior, in point of size, only to the ele- 

 phant, the rhinoceros, or the hippopotamus. The 

 camelopard, or the camel, may indeed be taller, 

 but they are neither so long, nor near so corpu- 

 lent. Accordingly, we find this animal wild in 

 many parts of India ; and tamed also wherever 

 the natives have occasion for his services. The 

 wild buffaloes are very dangerous animals, and 

 are often found to gore travellers to death, and 

 then trample them with their feet, until they have 



