"BUFFALOES." 



37 



which was of a most simple character, excellently explained by Mr. Allen, who says that the timidity 

 and watchfulness of the cows, accustomed as they were to the care of their offspring, led them to 

 take the initiative in the movements of the herd, and this kept them near the front, especially 

 when the herd was moving. The popular belief that the bulls kept the cows and the young in 

 the middle of the herd, and formed themselves, as it were, into a protecting phalanx, had some 

 apparent basis ; but the theory that the old bulls, the least watchful of all the members of the 

 herd, were sentinels posted on the outskirts to give notice of an approaching enemy, was wholly a 

 myth, as was also the supposition that the herd consisted of small harems. 



These " Buffaloes," as they were generally called, were much like domestic cattle in their habits. 



AMERICAN BISON. 



They were, however, fond of wallowing in the mud, and so coating themselves with a protection 



from their insect pests. Their ferocity of appearance was not evident in their true natures, for their 



Imposition was sluggish and fearful. Colonel Dodge remarked of them that, "endowed with the 



smallest possible amount of instinct, the little he has seems adapted rather for getting him into 



tfficulties than out of them. If not alarmed at sight or smell of a foe, he will stand stupidly gazin- 



at his companions in their death-throes, until the whole herd is shot down. He will walk uncon" 



isly into a quicksand or quagmire already choked with struggling dying victims. Having made 



5 mind to go a certain way it is almost impossible to swerve him from his purpose " 



h of the "Buffalo" was thought equal to the best beef if from the young animal, but 

 iry and insipid when from the adult. The tongue and hump were esteemed great delicacies Pemmi- 

 n was made mostly from the dried flesh, pounded fine and mixed with an equal weight of tallow. 



ffers from the Bisons mostly in the distribution of its long hair, which, instead of 

 i on its hump and neck, forms a lengthy fringe along the shoulders, flanks, and 

 hs, and completely invests the tail, which latter is much prized in India, where it is known as 

 Uiowry, and is employed as a fly-switch in great ceremonials. 

 100 



