114 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



The following anecdote will serve to shew, that 

 during the rutting season, these animals are fierce 

 and vicious, and not to be depended upon: A 

 labouring man, without knowing that the animal 

 was near him, went up to the outside of the inclo- 

 sure: the Nyl-Ghau, with the quickness of lightning, 

 darted against the woodwork with such violence, 

 that he dashed it to pieces, and broke off one of his 

 horns close to the root. The death of the animal, 

 which happened soon after, was supposed to be 

 owing to the injury he sustained by the blow. 



Bernier says, that it is the favourite amusement 

 of the Mogul Emperor to hunt the Nyl-Ghau; and 

 that he kills them in great numbers, and distributes 

 quarters of them to his omrahs; which shews that 

 they are esteemed good and delicious food. 



The Nyl-Ghau is frequently brought from the 

 interior parts of Asia, as a rare and valuable pre- 

 sent to the nabobs and other great men at our 

 settlements in India. 



It remains to be considered, whether this rare 

 animal might not be propagated with success in 

 this country. That it will breed here, is evident 

 from experience ; and if it should prove docile 

 enough to be easily trained to labour, its great 

 swiftness and considerable strength might be ap- 

 plied to the most valuable purposes. 



