, s ., CASSELL'S POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. 



The late Emperor of Russia presented two specimens to the Zoological Society. Though it was 

 stated that the bisons had a natural enmity to domestic cattle, and that the young obstinately refused 

 to be suckled by the domestic cow, the calves thus sent were suckled by a cow in the Regent's Park 

 Gardens, and became very speedily attached to her. Unfortunately, they died a few months after their 

 arrival in this country. A very fine specimen was presented by the Emperor to the British Museum, 

 which is still to be seen in that collection. 



TUB AMERICAN BISON.* 



THE specific difference of this animal is marked by its having fifteen ribs on each side, while the 

 European bison has fourteen pair, and the common ox only thirteen. The contour of the skull has 



THE AMKUU'AN BISON. 



much in common with the European species, but its development, and, indeed, that of the whole frame, 

 is much inferior in the female. 



The American male bison, when at its full size, is said to weigh 2,000 Ibs., though twelve or 

 fourteen cwt. is considered a good weight in the fur countries. Sir John Richardson gives 8| feet 

 as its length, exclusive of the tail, which is 20 inches, and upwards of 6 feet as its height at the fore 

 quarters. The head is very large and carried low ; the eyes are small, black, and piercing ; the horns 

 are short, small, sharp, set far apart, for the forehead is very broad, and directed outwards and 

 backwards, so as to be nearly erect, with a slight curve towards the outward-pointing tips. The 

 hump is not a mere lump of fatty secretion, like that of the zebu, but exists exclusive of a deposit of 

 fat, which varies much in quantity, of the strong muscles attached to the highly -developed spiuous 

 processes of the last cervical and first dorsal vertebra, forming fit machinery for the support and 

 movement of the enormous head. The chest is broad and the legs are strong ; the hind parts are 

 narrow, and have a comparatively weak appearance. The tail is clothed with short, fur-like hair, 

 with a long, straight, coarse, blackish-brown tuft at the end. In winter the whole body is covered 



N 



* Bos Americanus. Gmelin. 



