THE AUROCHS. 



629 



ALTHOUGH some of the preceding animals have been popularly called by the name of 

 Bison, they have no more right to that title than have the Bisons to the name of buffalo, 

 which is so frequently bestowed upon them. All the true Bisons may be known by the 

 short, crisp, woolly hair with which the body is covered, and which hangs in heavy 

 masses over the head and shoulders of the male animal. 



To the Bison belongs the AUROCHS, or BONASSUS, the former name being a corruption 

 of the word Auer-Ochs. It is also commonly known by the name of Zubr. This animal 

 is now almost, if not exclusively, confined to the forest of Bialowikza, in Lithuania, a 

 locality which is peculiarly suitable to its habits on account of the large marshy districts 

 in which it abounds. In order that this magnificent animal may be preserved in 

 perfection, it is protected by the most stringent forest laws. The Aurochs gives forth a 



AUROCHS. Bison Bonassus. 



powerful and curious odor, which is far from unpleasant, and partakes equally of the 

 characters of musk and violet. This perfume is found to penetrate the whole of the body 

 to a certain extent, but is exhaled most powerfully from the skin and hair which covers 

 the upper part of the forehead. It is found in both sexes, but is much weaker in the 

 cow than in her mate. 



Although not so large as some of the preceding animals, standing only about six 

 feet in height at the summit of the elevated shoulder, it is strongly and muscularly 

 built, and is a terrible foe to any antagonist that may happen to arouse its ire. Like the 

 buffalo, it has no fear of predaceous animals, a single Aurochs being supposed to be an 

 overmatch for several hungry wolves. In general, it is shy, and fearful of the presence 

 of man, slipping quietly away as soon as its acute senses perceive the symptoms of human 

 neighborhood ; but if wounded or irritated, it fights most desperately, using its short, 



