THE BUFFALO. 63 



Though these animals are chiefly found in the torrid 

 zone, they are nevertheless bred in Europe, particularly in 

 Italy ; into which country they appear to have been intro- 

 duced about the year 600. In Apulia, they are yet said to 

 run wild, and to grow up to twioe the size of our largest 

 oxen. 



Compared with the cow, the figure of the buffalo is more 

 clumsy and awkward ^ its air is more savage, and it carries 

 its head nearer to the ground ; its limbs are Jess fleshy, 

 nor is its tail so well covered with hair. The body is 

 shorter and thicker, the legs higher, the head smaller, the 

 horns more compressed, the skin more destitute of hair. 

 The flesh also is less palatable, and the milk less nutritive, 

 though yielded in sufficient abundance. In short, the hide, 

 which is justly celebrated for its softness, thickness, and 

 impenetrability, is the most valuable production of this 

 animal. 



The Zebu is a native of Asia and parts of Africa, is 

 about the size of the cow, but more swift and hardy, and 

 is used for conveying burdens. 



THE KANGAROO 



Is a native of New Holland, where it was first discovered 

 by Sir Joseph Banks. Its head is small and taper, ears 

 large and erect, upper lip divided, the end of the nose 

 black, nostrils wide, lower jaw shorter than the upper, and 

 there are whiskers on both; it likewise has strong hairs 

 above and below the eyes ; its head, neck and shoulders, 

 are small ; the lower parts of the body increasing in 

 thickness to the rump; its tail is long, very thick near the 

 rump, and taper ; its fore feet are extremely short, and are 

 mostly used in digging or bringing its food to its mouth ; 

 it moves altogether on its hind legs, making successive 

 bounds of ten or twelve feet, with such rapidity, as to 

 outstrip the fleetest grey-hound. In hopping forward the 

 whole weight of the hinder part is supported by the tail. 

 It springs from rock to rock, and leaps over bushes seven 

 or eight feet high, with great ease ; it has five toes on its 

 fore feet, three on the hind, the middle one very long; the 

 inner claw is divided down the middle into two" parts. 



The Kangaroo rests on its hind legs, which are hard, 

 black, and naked on the under side. Its fur is short and 

 soft, of a reddish ash colour, ligher on the lower parts. 



