248 ANIMALS OF THE 



in the forehead, is every way the same with what 

 our common breed was before they were taken 

 from the forest, and reduced to a state of servi- 

 tude. The bison, and all its varieties, which are 

 known by a hump between the shoulders, is also 

 to be placed in the same class. This animal, 

 whether with crooked or straight horns, whether 

 they be turned towards the cheek, or totally 

 wanting, whether it be large or diminutive, 

 whatever be its colour, or whatever the length of 

 its hair, whether called the bonassus by some, or 

 the bubalus by others, is but a variety of the cow 

 kind, with whom it breeds, and with whom, of 

 consequence, it has the closest connexion. Last- 

 ly, the buffalo, though shaped much more like the 

 cow, is a distinct kind by itself, that never mixes 

 with any of the former ; that goes twelve months 

 with young, whereas the cow goes but nine ; that 

 testifies an aversion to the latter ; and, though 

 bred under the same roof, or feeding in the same 

 pasture, has always kept separate, and makes a 

 distinct race in all parts of the world. These 

 two kinds are supposed to be the only real varie- 

 ties in the cow kind, of which naturalists have 

 given so many varieties. With respect to some 

 circumstances mentioned by travellers, such as 

 that of many kinds defending themselves by 

 voiding their dung against their pursuers, this 

 is a practice which they have in common with 

 other timid creatures when pursued, and arises 

 rather from fear than a desire of defence. The 

 musky smell, also, by which some have been dis- 

 tinguished, is found common to many of these 



