THE BUFF ALO, &c. 187 



ther by the Spaniards and other Europeans. 

 Thefe oxen have greatly multiplied, but have 

 become (mailer in thefe new territories. This fpe- 

 cies was abfolutely unknown in South America. 

 But, in all the northern regions, as far as Florida, 

 Louiiiana, and even in the neighbourhood of 

 Mexico,the bifons, or bunched oxen, were found 

 in great numbers. Thefe bifons, which former- 

 ly inhabited the woods of Germany, of Scotland, 

 and other northern countries, have probably 

 paffed from the Old to the New Continent. Like- 

 all the other animals, their iize has diminished 

 in America ; and, and according as they lived in 

 climates more or lefs cold, their hair became 

 longer or {hotter. In Hudfon's Bay, their beard 

 and hair are longer and more bufliy than in 

 Mexico; and, in general, their hair is fofter than 

 the fined wool *. We cannot hefitate in pro- 

 nouncing thefe bifons of the New Continent to 

 be the fame fpecies with thofe of the Old. They 

 have preferved all the principal characters, as 



the 



* The wild cxm of Louisiana, inftead of hair, are covered, 

 with wool as fine as filk, and all curled. It is longer in winter 

 than in fummer, and is much ufed by the inhabitants. On 

 their fhoulders they have a pretty high bunch* Their horns 

 are very fine, and are ufed by the hunters for carrying their 

 powder. Between the horns, and toward the top of the head, 

 there is a tuft of hair fo thick, that a piilol bullet, though 

 difcharged ever fo near, cannot penetrate it. 1 tried the ex- 

 periment myfelf. The flefh of thefe oxen is excellent, as well 

 as that of the cow and calf; its flavour and juice are ex- , 

 fite ; Mini, fur la Lottifieme, far M. Dttmonf, t>. "5. 



