4M' 



VERTEBRATA. 



Different authors have classed these animals in various ways, some regarding them as of a single 

 genus, others as of a single species, and still others as constituting several genera. We shall 

 adopt the arrangement of Gervais, which seems the most natural, and treat them as consisting of 

 one Genus, ( >X, Bos, and divided into six subgenera, Bibos, Yak, Bonasus, Buffalo, Ovibos, and 

 Taurus. Before we proceed, however, we present to the reader the following curious table, 

 furnished by Mr. Vasey in his "Delineation of the. Ox Tribe," showing the differences in thenum- 

 ber of vertebrae belonging to the several species and varieties of Bovina. 



Names of Species. 



American Bison. . 

 European Bison., 



Yak 



Gayal I Domestic 

 Indian Buffalo. . . 



Gaur 



Domestic Ox 



Manilla Buffalo.. 

 Cape Buffalo.... 



Zamouse 



Banting 



Zebu 



Subgenus BD30S : Bibos of Hodgson. — Of this there is a single species, the Jungle-Ox, or 

 Jungle-Ghao of India, the Bos frontalis of Lambert, and the Bos sylhetanus of F. Cuvier. In 

 Oriental language it is called ghau, which means cow, whence we have Nylghau, which means 

 Blue-cow. The English give to the Jungle-Ox the various names of Gauri-Ghau, Gayal, ami 

 Bison. The entire body of this species is red, and the feet whitish ; the size is that of the com- 

 mon domestic ox; the horns are arched and marked with ridges, transverse to their base. It ifl 

 widely distributed, extending from Hindostan to Cochin China. It lives in small herds in d 

 forests and marshy thickets, and is endowed with such strength and courage that it easily defends 

 itself from the most formidable beasts of the wilderness. It is, however, of a mild disposition, and 

 is not dangerous even in its own dominions. It is domesticated and bred by some of the Hindoos, 

 who only make use of the flesh and hides, though the milk has a peculiar richness. In some 

 instances it is said to be used for draught. The cow goes eleven months, and will breed with the 

 common Indian bull. Large flocks of these animals arc owned by some of the natives; they 

 roam at large during the day, but come home at evening, being trained to this by receiving small 

 quantities of salt. Some Hindoos regard this as a sacred animal. 



The < <\vn or Gour, Bos Gaurus of Smith, is regarded by some naturalists as a distinct species. 

 It is found in the mountainous parts of Central India, where it lives in small herds, and is a wild 

 and Bavage animal. 



The Banting or Sumatra Ox, Bos Banting, is a wild species, found in Java and Borneo; it 

 r isembles the Gaur in appearance, but its osteology is peculiar, and it is doubtless a distinct spe< 



Subgenus YAK, or PCEPHAGTJS, according to Gray. — Of this there is one species only, the 

 Yak, Saklvk, or Grunting-Ox, Gbunting-Buxl, Savora-Goy or Bulbul, the Bos Grumuent 

 of Linnaens. The color of this animal, of which there are wild as well as tame varietii 

 black; the hack and tail often white; the hair is thick and long, and the tail is long, silky, 

 and beautiful. It is used for military standards, and, being dyed red, is employed for tufts to the 

 .•aps of the Chinese. Both the male and female have a constant grunt like that of a hog. Or. 

 the shoulders is a hump, covered with long hair. The horns are like those of a common ox. 

 This species is extensively bred in Thibet and the adjacent parts of Central Asia, where it is 

 extremely useful to the inhabitants. There arc several breeds, as the Noble Yak, the Plow Yak\ 

 Ghainorik, Wild )'"/-, &c. Those used for the plow are short-legged, carry their heads low, and 

 have a mean aspect. Those used for riding, which, by the way, are guided by the nose, are 

 much handsomer, and have; a stately appearance. They are, however, somewhat vicious, kick 

 lurn round and grunt, sometimes furiously, and with a kind of rattling in their throat. This. 



