MAMMALIA— YAK... GAUR...GAYAL. 387 



this is effected, the Indians raise loud shouts, and pressing closely on the 

 animals, terrify them so much, that they rush heedlessly forwards towards 

 the snare. When they have advanced as far as the men who are lying ia 

 ambush, they also show themselves, increasing the consternation of the 

 bisons by shouting violently and firing their guns. The affrighted animals 

 have no alternative but to rush directly into the pound, where they are 

 quickly dispatched by guns or arroAvs. In the centre of one of these 

 pounds, there Avas a tree on which the Indians had hung stripes of bison 

 flesh, and pieces of cloth, as tributary or grateful offerings to the Great 

 Master of life. They occasionally place a man in the tree to sing to the 

 presiding spirit, as the bisons advance. He is obliged to remain there until 

 all the animals that have entered the pound are killed. 



The bison is about eight feet in length. The head, shoulders, and upper 

 part of the anterior extremities, are covered with a long, brownish, woolly 

 hair. The tail is tufted with black. The horns are black, and turned 

 laterally and upwards. 



THE YAK.i 



This animal has some resemblance to a buffalo in the shape of his head. 

 His size is various ; and the tail of one in the British Museum, is six feet 

 long. The color is generally black, but many have white tails. They are 

 fond of mountainous countries, and keep on the southern declivities ia 

 winter, and the northern in summer. The species is both wild and domes- 

 ticated. The wild yaks abound in the mountains of Bootan and Thibet. 



THE GAUR2 



Is a species of bison, which appears to be one of the largest now living. It 

 is six feet high at the shoulders, and twelve feet long. Its head resembles 

 that of the common ox. Its most remarkable characteristic is a spinous 

 elevated process, on the neck and shoulders. They live in families of ten 

 or twenty. They are found in India. 



THE GAYAL3 



Is nearly the shape and size of a common bull. It has a sharp ridge over 

 the shoulders. The general color is brown, and the tail is tufted. It 

 inhabits the forests east of the Burrampooter. 



^ Bos grunnicns, Lin. ^ Bos g-auras, Smith. ^ Bos gavccus, Smith. 



