HISTORY. 223 



Bruce informs us that Buffaloes exist in great numbers in 

 the woods of Abyssinia. Denham and Clapperton found them 

 in the kingdom of Bornon, on the lake of Tchad, in the heart 

 of Africa, and thence innumerable traces of them appear 

 through all the intermediate countries to the Atlantic. Cap- 

 tain Lyon mentions three kinds of Buffaloes which are found 

 in great numbers in the kingdom of Fezzan; the first, an 

 animal about the size of an Ass, with large head and horns, 

 a reddish hide, and large bunches of hair hanging from each 

 shoulder to the length of eighteen inches or two feet, and of 

 a fierce disposition ; the second about the size of a Cow, red 

 in colour, slow in its motions, and having large horns ; and 

 the third a white Buffalo, lighter in shape, and more active 

 in its motions than the others, and so shy and swift that 

 it can rarely be obtained. Unfortunately the gallant traveller 

 gives us no details, and probably merely speaks from common 

 reports. The information afforded by other travellers re- 

 garding the Buffaloes of the interior is alike defective. We 

 merely learn that these animals abound throughout the 

 forests of Northern and Central Africa ; but of their distinc- 

 tive characters, no information satisfactory to the naturalist 

 has yet been afforded. 



There is one African species, however, of which we have 

 authentic accounts, namely, the CAPE BUFFALO, the Bos 

 Coffer of Sparrman, and admitted by that name into the cata- 

 logues of naturalists. This formidable animal is found at the 

 Cape, and extends to an unknown distance into the interior. 

 He bears a distinct affinity in habits and character with the 

 Buffalo of Asia, but is yet clearly marked by characters of 

 his own. He is a large animal, being about five feet and a 

 half in height at the shoulders, and nine feet long, having 

 short muscular limbs, and a ponderous head. His horns are 

 long, thick, and black, spreading over the whole forehead 

 until the bases nearly touch. The root of these rugged horns, 

 overhanging the red and piercing eyes of the animal, gives 

 him a sullen and malignant aspect. His ears are shaggy 



