BISON. 



153 



rather monotonous, there is but little variation in the 

 programme, and not much danger as a rule. Moreover 

 there is great waste of meat, in the remoter jungles usually 

 resorted to by them, owing to the absence of dhers or 

 other pariahs who in jungles nearer civilisation eat up 

 every morsel that can be found. The head as a trophy, 

 the tail for soup, the marrow-bones and tongue, will 

 supply the needs of most camps, and the remainder of the 

 immense frame will only benefit the tiger or panther. The 

 pursuit of solitary bulls is a branch of the sport which 

 affords more excitement, and is not so much open to 

 objection, for he is a morose and even dangerous animal, 

 and is useless to his own species. An 8 -bore double 

 barrel rifle, burning eight drachms of powder, with a 

 hardened bullet, would be my choice weapon for any future 

 bison stalking. It is a more humane one than a 12 -bore, 

 fewer animals getting away to pine and die of their wounds, 

 and, if elephants were encountered, it ought to acquit itself 

 well enough, in the absence of a 4 -bore. 



MY LAST BISON. 



