38 THE BISON. 



the animal is in poor condition, this fat seems to waste 

 itself, most probably in lubricating the strong muscles 

 attached to the last cervical and first dorsal vertebrae. 

 These muscles are admirably suited to support the 

 weight of the beast's large head. The bulls are seldom 

 found in so good condition as the cows, nor is their 

 flesh considered equal in delicacy. Buffalo cows have 

 been killed with more than two inches of fat on the 

 hump or boss, and half that quantity on the sides and 

 ribs. 



The colour of this large animal is a liver or umber 

 brown, and in the summer has a glossy appearance ; 

 but towards the winter it becomes paler in hue, and 

 before it is shed is of a gingery, dull, yellowish-brown 

 tint. This shedding of the coat begins to take place 

 about the month of February, and shows first between 

 the fore-legs, around the udder in the female, and on 

 the inside of the thighs. The long hairs then fall 

 gradually but irregularly, leaving some parts of the 

 skin almost naked, while other portions are covered 

 with loosely-hanging hair and wool, giving the animal 

 an extremely ragged and miserable appearance. While 

 shedding his coat, the bison frequents woody districts, 

 rubbing himself against trees and bushes to aid the 

 work of nature. The coat is not thoroughly renewed 

 until some time later in the year. 



The buffalo has been pursued by the Indians with 

 far greater ease and much more certainty of success 



