CHAPTER VI 



INDIAN GAUR (MISCALLED BISON), THE BOS GAURUS OF 

 NATURALISTS 



BLANDFORD'S description of this magnificent animal, the 

 grandest and largest of all the existing bovines, may not here 

 be amiss : 



" General form massive, body deep, limbs and hoofs small. 

 Ears large. A high ridge along the anterior half of the back, 

 terminating abruptly about half-way between the shoulder 

 and the tail, and caused by the spinous processes of the dorsal 

 vertebrae being long and those of the lumbar vertebrae short, 

 the change in length taking place suddenly. Skull bearing a 

 high ridge convex on the vertex between the horn cores ; in 

 front of this ridge the forehead is deeply concave. Horns, 

 considerably flattened, towards the base curved throughout, 

 the tips turned inwards and slightly backwards. Thirteen 

 pairs of ribs. Tail just reaching the hocks. No distinct dew- 

 lap. Hair short, thin on the back in old bulls. 



" Colour. Brown, almost black in old bulls : less dark 

 and sometimes more rufous in females and young males, 

 especially during the cold season, and in those inhabiting 

 drier parts of the country where there is less shade. Lower 

 parts rather paler, hair about axil and groin golden-brown. 

 Legs, from above the knees and hocks to the hoofs, white. 

 Head, from above the eyes to the nape of the neck, ashy 

 grey, becoming in some animals whitey-brown or dirty white. 

 Muzzle, pale coloured. In calves, according to Blythe, there 

 is a dark stripe down the back. Horns, pale-greenish or 

 yellowish, with black tips. 



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