162 



BOVIDJ 



-MAMMALIA. BOVID.E. 



nized by its convex forehead, immense chest and dewlap, 

 and more particularly by a remarkable hump on the 

 shoulder, which, like the analogous formation seen in 

 the dromedary, consists entirely of fat. Some kinds 

 are provided with short, widely separated horns, but 

 in certain varieties these appendages are entirely want- 

 ing ; in others, again, and these are the most common, 

 the horns attain considerable development. This spe- 

 cies varies exceedingly both in respect of size, and 

 in the colour of the hide ; generally speaking, the fur 

 is greyish-white, and ash-coloured. The Zebu is not 

 only found in India, but is also met with in Persia, 

 Arabia, and even in Africa. It is in many places 

 employed in harness to draw light vehicles, and also as 

 an ordinary beast of burden for harder work. Its 

 flesh, though far superior to that of the species last 

 described, is not considered equal to that of the com- 

 mon ox. The hump is regarded as a delicacy ; its 

 choiceness depending apparently more on the manner 

 in which it is served up, than upon any inherent virtue 

 in the fatty mass itself. 



THE GYALL (Bos frontalis), or JUNGLE Ox, is about 

 the size of a large bullock. Considerable difference of 

 opinion has all along existed respecting its origin. By 

 some it has been regarded as a cross breed between 

 the Indian buffalo and certain varieties of the zebu, 

 and by others as altogether distinct. Be this as it 

 may, it is a well-marked form, and is distinguished 

 more especially by the horns, which are short and 

 thick, flattened from before backwards, and directed 

 laterally with a slight inclination upwards. The 

 Gyall is found in the mountainous districts of north- 

 eastern India, and, as a domestic race, appears to thrive 

 most satisfactorily in the province of Chittagong. 

 According to Mr. Lambert, the bull is naturally very 

 bold, and will defend himself against any of the beasts 

 of prey. " The female differs little in appearance ; 

 her horns are not quite so large, and her make is some- 

 what more slender. She is very quiet, and is used for all 

 the purposes of the dairy, as also for tilling the ground ; 

 and is more tractable than the buffalo." The fur ex- 

 hibits a blackish-brown colour generally ; whilst the 

 length of the body, from the tip oi the inuzzle to the 

 root of the tail, is upwards of nine feet. One variety 

 of this species, termed the ASSEEL, GYAALL, is regarded 

 by some as the progenitor of the variety under con- 

 sideration. It is provided with longer horns, which 

 are strongly curved throughout, the space between 

 the tips measuring about fourteen inches. Over the 

 shoulders there is a considerable elevation ; but it does 

 not acquire the significance assigned to it in the humped 

 varieties of cattle. It is not at all ferocious, even in 

 its wildest condition. It frequents the neighbourhood 

 of forests, cropping shoots and leaves of shrubs in pre- 

 ference to grass. 



THE GOUB (Bos Gaurus) is by some considered to 

 be a distinct species. It is a bulky animal, measuring, 

 according to Dr. Traill, very nearly twelve feet from 

 the tip of the muzzle to the end of the tail. The Gour 

 inhabits certain mountainous districts of Central India, 

 being particularly abundant on the Mysa Pat mountain 

 in the district of Sergojah. It occurs in herds of from 

 twenty to thirty and upwards, which, like the gyalls, 



prefer to browse on leaves and tender shrubs a marked 

 peculiarity, which militates rather against the statement 

 of Dr. Traill, that the habits of these two species are 

 different, and, in our view, lessens the value of his 

 persuasion, that these two animals are specifically dis- 

 tinct. However, the Gour is an important kind of ox. 

 It is a formidable opponent in combat, and is said to 

 be more than a match for the tiger. According to Mr. 

 Hodgson it is with great difficulty reared in a state of 

 confinement. 



THE YAK (Bos puephagus) or GRUNTING Ox, is a 

 native of Thibet, where it is found both in the tame 

 and wild state, inhabiting " all the loftiest plateaus of 

 high Asia between the Altai and the Himalaya, the 

 Belur Tag, and the Peling mountains." It is a com- 

 paratively small species, and readily distinguished by 

 its small mane on the back, and more especially by 

 the tail, which is clothed with long hair like that of 

 a horse. This appendage, duly prepared and some- 

 times dyed, is highly valued as an article of trade, 

 and is sold to the Chinese, Turks, and other eastern 

 nations, who employ it as an ornamental badge of dis- 

 tinction usually attached to their caps or turbans. 

 Several varieties of the Yak are known, and employed 

 for different purposes. Hofmeister, in his " Travels 

 in Ceylon," speaks of the Yak oxen as very beautiful 

 animals. "Whilst being ridden they were shy, restless, 

 and apparently disposed to attack their riders. " As 

 the steepness increased," he says, " these poor animals 

 began .to moan, or rather grunt, in the most melancholy 

 manner; and this unearthly music gradually rose to 

 such a violent rattle, that, driven rather by its irksome 

 sound than by the discomfort of our saddleless seat, we 

 dismounted at the end of the first half hour." The 

 fur of the Yak is usually black, the back and tail being 

 sometimes quite white. Various cross breeds have 

 been produced between this species and the com- 

 mon ox. 



THE MUSK OX (Ovibos moschatus) is a native of the 

 icy regions of North America, and is in those districts 

 an exceedingly valuable animal, supplying the Esqui- 

 maux with one of then- principal sources of food. It 

 is readily distinguished, not only by its moderate bulk, 

 but also by its long-haired, woolly hide (fig. 57). The 

 ears are short, and well-nigh concealed by the fur. The 

 horns are remarkably broad at the base, where they 

 closely approximate, separated by a hairy interspace 

 in the female. They are curved obliquely downwards 

 at first, suddenly bending upwards again towards the 

 tips. The first half of the horn is rough and light- 

 coloured ; but the remaining narrowed portion is 

 smooth and black at the extremity. The forehead is 

 convex, the face being prolonged forwards into a hairy 

 muzzle. The long fur has a rich brown colour gene- 

 rally, but is whitish on the limbs, where it is not so 

 fully developed. The best account of the habits of 

 this animal is that of Sir John Richardson, who writes 

 as follows: "Notwithstanding the shortness of the 

 legs of the Musk ox, it runs fast ; and it climbs hills 

 and rocks with great ease. One pursued on the banks 

 of the Copper-mine, scaled a lofty sand cliff, having so 

 great a declivity that we were obliged to crawl on 

 hands and knees to follow it. Its footmarks are very 



