i30 NATURAL HISTORY. 



the slight Indian bow, drawn without any perceptible effort, 

 has thrown the arrow completely through the body of the 

 huge animal. When only wounded it is a most dangerous 

 antagonist, and rushes on its enemy with the most determined 

 ferocity. Richardson gives an instance of its fury when 

 wounded. 



" Mr. Finnan M'Donald, one of the Hudson's Bay Com- 

 pany's clerks, was descending the Saskatchewan in a boat, arid 

 one evening, having pitched his tent for the night, he went 

 out in the dusk to look for game. It had bec^ne nearly dark, 

 when he fired at a bison bull, which was galloping over a small 

 eminence, and as he was hastening forward to see if his shot 

 had taken effect, the wounded beast made a rush at him. He 

 had the presence of mind to seize the animal by the long hair 

 on its forehead as it struck him on the side with its horn, and 

 being a remarkably tall and powerful man, a struggle ensued, 

 which continued until his wrist was severely sprained, and his 

 arm was rendered powerless ; he then fell, and after receiving 

 two or three blows became senseless. Shortly afterwards he 

 was found by his companions lying bathed in blood, being gored 

 in several places, and the bison was couched beside him, ap- 

 parently waiting to renew the attack had he shown any signs 

 of life." 



THE YAK. 



The YAK inhabits Tartary. Of this animal in a native state 

 little or nothing is known. The name of " grunniens," or 

 grunting, is derived from the peculiar sound that it utters. 

 The tail of the Yak is very long and fine, and is used in India 

 as a fan or whisk to keep off the mosquitos. The tail is fixed 

 into an ivory or metal handle, and is then called a chowrie. 

 Elephants are sometimes taught to carry a chowrie and wave 

 it about in the air. From the shoulders of the Yak a mass 

 of long hair falls almost to the ground, something like the 

 rnane of a Lion. This hair is applied to various purposes by 



