511 



X. 



Description of a Species of Ox, named Gaya'l. 



COMMUNICATED BY H. T. COLEBROOKE, ESQ, 



THE Gaycil was mentioned in an early volume 

 of tlie researches of the Asiatic Society *, by 

 its Indian name, which was explained by the 

 phrase, ' cattle of the mountains.' It had been 

 obscurely noticed (if indeed the same species of ox 

 be meant,) by Knox, in his historical relation of 

 Ceylon'\ ; and it has been imperfectly described by 

 Captain Turner, in his journey through Bootan'^. 

 Herds of this species of cattle have been long pos- 

 sessed by many gentlemen, in the eastern districts 

 of Bengal, and also in other parts of this pro- 

 vince : but no detailed account of the animal, and 

 of its habits, has been yet published iu India. To 

 remedy this deficiency, Dr. Roxburgh undertook, 

 at my solicitation, to describe the Gayal, from 

 those seen by him in a herd belonging to the Go- 

 vernor General. Dr. Buchanan has also oblig- 

 ingly communicated his observations on the same 

 cattle : and both descriptions are here laid before 

 the society; with information obtained from seve- 

 ral gentlemen at Tipura, Silhet, arid Chatgavn, re- 

 lative to the habits of the animal. The original 

 drawing, from which the plate has been taken, is 



* In the second volume, (p. 188,) published ia 1790' 



t P. 21. 



I Embassy to Tibet, p. l60. 



