GENERAL CHARACTER. 211 
the buffalo are short and black, and almost 
concealed under the frightfully shaggy front- 
lets of long woolly hair that crown the fore- 
heads of the bulls; which, with the goat-like 
beard, and ill-shapen hump, form the chief 
distinction between them and the domestic 
cattle : in fact, they are so nearly of the same 
species that they will breed together ; though 
the offspring, like the mule, is said to be un- 
fruitful. Between the males and females 
there is still a greater disproportion in size 
than among the domestic cattle. A buffalo 
cow is about as heavy as a common ox, while 
a large fat bull will weigh perhaps double as 
muc 
These are very gregarious animals. At 
some seasons, however, the cows rather in- 
cline to keep to themselves; at other times 
they are mostly seen in the centre of the 
gang, while the bulls are scattered around, 
frequently to a considerable distance, evident- 
ly guarding the cows and calves. And on 
the outskirts of the buffalo range, we are apt 
to meet with small gangs of bulls alone, a day 
or two’s travel distant, as though performing 
ne —_ of ‘piquet guards’ for the main 
ae flesh of the buffalo i is, I think, as fine 
as any meat I ever tasted : the old hunter will 
not admit that there is anything equal to it. 
Much of its apparent savoriness, however, 
results perhaps from our sharpened ‘ prairie 
appetites, and our being usually upon salt 
provisions awhile before “obtaining n° The 
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