230 THE OX. 



taken young, but should be born and made to breed in the 

 state of servitude, in order that it might be fully known what 

 ultimate changes domestication would produce in their habits, 

 and to what degree they could be rendered the assistants of 

 man, instead of being, as now, the victims of his persecution. 



The next to be mentioned of the Bovine family is a native 

 of India. The GAYAL or JUNGLE Ox, the Bos frontalis of 

 Lambert, inhabits the mountain forests east of the Brahma- 

 pootra, but doubtless extends far into the dense regions of 

 forest beyond that noble river. The precise place which 

 this species occupies amongst the Bovidse has not been sa- 

 tisfactorily determined. He seems allied to the Bisontine 

 and Taurine groups, and is probably to be regarded as the 

 connecting link between them. 



The Jungle Ox has the head broad and flat above, and con- 

 tracting suddenly to the muzzle. The horns are distant, 

 thick at the base, and slightly compressed, the flat sides be- 

 ing towards the front and rear ; the ears are long, the eyes 

 are like those of the Common Ox, the muzzle is destitute of 

 hairs. A sharp ridge runs from the back part of the neck 

 and top of the shoulder, along about a third part of the back, 

 and then suddenly terminates. The sacrum has a consider- 

 able declination to the tail, making the rump round like that 

 of a hog. The tail descends to about the hock, is covered 

 with short hairs, and terminates in a tuft. The prevailing 

 colour is brown of various shades, and the legs, belly, and 

 tip of the tail, are white. This animal has a somewhat clumsy 

 aspect, but is yet possessed of great activity and strength. 

 He is of the size of an ordinary Ox of this country. He does 

 not grunt in the manner of the Yak of Tartary, but lows like 

 the Ox of Europe, although with a shriller and softer tone. 



In their wild state, the Gayals seem to be entirely the 

 inhabitants of a country of dense forest, never, of their own 

 accord, approaching to the plains ; and this habit they do not 

 lose in the state of slavery. They delight to roam in the 

 thickest woods ; they neglect the grasses, and rather love to 



