210 THE BUFFALO. 
to the necessity of eating the flesh of the mus- 
~ tang; and, when young and tender, it has 
been accounted savory enough; but, when 
of full age, it is said to be exceedingly rancid, 
particularly when fat. They are sometimes 
hunted by Mexicans for their oil, which is 
used by the curriers. 
The buffalo, though making no pretensions 
to the elegance and symmetry of the mus- 
tang, is by far the most important animal of 
the Prairies to the traveller. It is sufficiently 
well known that these animals bear but little 
resemblance to the buffalo of India; but that 
they are a species of bison, or bos Americanus, 
according to naturalists. They are called 
Cibolos by the Mexicans; and it would cer- 
tainly have prevented ambiguity, had they 
been distinguished by some other name than 
buffalo with us. 
Their dusky black color becomes much 
paler during the season of long hair* The 
phenomenon of a white buffalo has frequently 
been remarked upon the Prairies; but as the 
white skin is said to have been used in the 
mystic ceremonies of many of the northern 
tribes of Indians, this probably created such a 
demand for them, that they have become 
nearly extinct. Their unusual color has com- 
monly been considered a lusus nature, yet it 
is probable that they stand in about the same 
relation to the black or brown buffalo that 
black sheep do to white ones. The horns of 
tabihite Sectpeohlak hapten othe Seas eee apices, 
a — me RR ae cements a 
