30 



NATURAL SIS TOUT. 



white line above and below each fetlock stands out conspicuously also. The inner sides of the thighs 

 .are white, this colour extending for some distance upwards and inwards. There is a white patch 

 .also in front of each pastern joint. The tail is lengthy, and tufted at the end. The ears are 

 nearly of the same length as the horns. The limbs are elegantly shaped, though rather heavy, and 

 their proportions show a tendency towards those of the Giraffe, which animal it also resembles in 

 the employment of its tongue for seizing food, and not its lips. 



The Nyl-Grhau is found only in continental India, where it abounds in parts, not being a favourite 

 with sportsmen, because its small horns are so insignificant a trophy, but more so with the larger 

 members of the Cat tribe the Tiger and the Leopard as well as the wild Dog, with whom it is a 

 frequent meal. Its temper is uncertain, which fact, when taken in connection with its powerful 



build, makes it a dangerous pet. It 

 lives well in confinement. When 

 attacking, it drops on its knees, and 

 thus advances until it feels itself 

 within a sufficient distance of its foe 

 to make a sudden leap upon it, which 

 it can do with great velocity and 

 force. The leather manufactured 

 from its skin is valuable, but its flesh 

 is never eaten by the Hindoos, on 

 account of their belief that it belongs 

 to the Ox tribe, which it is not law- 

 ful to slay. With a good Horse in 

 open country, the Blue bull may be 

 hunted successfully with .spears. It 

 is very tenacious of life. The first 

 specimens introduced into England 



were brought from Bombay by Lord 

 Olive in 1767. 



NYL-GHAU. 



THE MUSK OX* 



is an animal whose exact affinities 

 it is not easy to determine. By 



some naturalists it has been thought to be intermediate between the Sheep and the Ox, whence 

 its scientific generic name, Ovibos. It is found only in Arctic America north of latitude 60, 

 and exhales a strong musky odour at certain seasons of the year, an approach to which is recog- 

 nisable in several of the Bovidse. It is a heavy-built, but not large creature, with short legs, 

 and a very lengthy brown hairy coat, which almost reaches to the ground. Its horns are very 

 similar in form to those of the Cape Buffalo, and in the bulls they meet in the middle line of 

 the forehead. The tail is very short, being entirely hidden by the fur of the haunches. The nose 

 is not naked, as in the Oxen, but is almost entirely covered with hair, as in the Elk and Rein- 

 deer, both Arctic ruminants also. The spread of their feet is considerable, and they can cover 

 the ground at no little speed. Captain Franklin describes their habits as follows : " The Musk 

 Oxen, like the Buffalo, herd together in bands, and generally frequent barren grounds during 

 the summer months, keeping near the rivers, but retire to the woods in winter. They seem to be 

 less watchful than most other wild animals, and when grazing are not difficult to approach, 

 provided the hunters go against the wind. When two or three men get so near a herd as to fire 

 at them from different points, these animals, instead of separating or running away, huddle closer 

 together, and several are generally killed ; but if the wound is not mortal they become enraged, 

 and dart in the most furious manner at the hunters, who must be very dexterous to evade them. 

 They can defend themselves with their powerful horns against Wolves and Bears, which, as the 

 Indians say, they not unfrequently kill. The Musk Oxen feed on the same substances as the 



* Ovibos moschatus. 



