48 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



from the body. The following accurate descrip- 

 tion we owe to the same author: The length 

 of the Buffalo, from head to tail, is eight feet; 

 the height five and a half; and the fore legs 

 two feet and a half long : from the tip of the 

 muzzle to the horns, twenty-two inches ; his limbs, 

 in proportion to his size, are much stouter than 

 those of the Ox; his fetlocks likewise hang near 

 the ground: the horns are singular, both in their 

 form and position ; the bases of them are thirteen 

 inches broad, and only an inch distant from each 

 other, having a narrow channel or furrow between 

 them ; from this furrow the horns assume a spheri- 

 cal form, extending over a great part of the head : 

 the distance between the points is often above five 

 feet: the ears are a foot long, somewhat pendulous, 

 and in a great measure covered and defended by 

 the lower edges of the horns, Avhich bend down on 

 each side, and form a curve upwards with the 

 points : their hair is of a dark brown colour, about 

 an inch long, harsh, and, upon those males that are 

 advanced in years, straggling and thin, especially 

 on each side of the belly, w^hich gives them the ap- 

 pearance of being girt with a belt ; the tail is short, 

 and tufted at the end: the eyes are large, and 

 somewhat sunk within their prominent orbits, 

 w^hich are almost covered with the bases of the 

 horns overhanging its dangling ears; this, with a 

 peculiar inclination of the head to one side, pro- 

 duces an aspect at once fierce, cunning, and tre- 

 mendous: the flesh is coarse, rather lean, but full 

 of juice of a high but not unpleasant flavour : the 

 hide is thick and tough, and of great use in making 

 thongs and harness; it is so hard, as not to be 



