68 ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 
dered by no means despicable, although far from equal- 
ling that of the European Ox. The hump, which is 
chiefly composed of fat, is reckoned the most delicate 
part. 
As might naturally be expected from its perfect 
domestication and wide diffusion, the Zebu is subject 
to as great a variety of colours as those which aftect 
the European race, Its most common hue is a light 
ashy gray, passing into a cream colour or milk-white ; 
but it is not unfrequently marked with various shades 
of red or brown, and occasionally it becomes perfectly 
black. Its hump is sometimes elevated in a remarkable 
degree, and usually retains its upright position; but 
sometimes it becomes half pendulous and hangs partly 
over towards one side. Instances are cited in which 
it had attamed the enormous weight of fifty pounds. 
A distinct breed is spoken of as common in Surat, 
which is furnished with a second hump. Among the 
other breeds there are some which are entirely destitute 
of horns, and others which have only the semblance 
of them, the external covering being unsupported by 
bony processes, and being consequently flexible and 
pendulous. 
The specimen now before us is one of the largest 
that has ever been seen in Europe. It is fully equal 
in size to the larger breeds of our native oxen, and is 
of a slaty gray on the body and head; with cream- 
coloured legs and dewlap, the latter exceedingly long 
and pendulous; very short horns directed upwards and 
outwards; and ears of great proportional magnitude, 
and so flexible and obedient to the animal’s will as to 
be moved in all directions with the greatest facility. 
Although a full-grown male he is perfectly quiet, good 
tempered, and submissive. 
