36 THE AMERICAN BISONS. 



longer and thicker horn-cores. In respect to the American forms, three 

 atages are represented, each later form being not only smaller than the pre- 

 ceding, but the reduction in the size of the horn-core is relatively greater 

 than that of general size. 



The types here recognized as distinct forms under the names B. jiriscus 

 and B. antiguus, it should be remarked, differ but slightly from each other, — 

 not more so, probably, than do B. bonasus and B. americamts, if indeed so 

 much, — and constitute as it were a common circumpolar form from ■which 

 IJ. bonasus and B. americamts have probably been differentiated. It seems 

 to me that the B. amerieanus is really the most differentiated form, B. bonasus, 

 in its more massive frame and rather larger horns, more strongly recalling 

 the preceding links {Bison antiquus and B. prisons) in the chain. It was also 

 until recently the form apparently farthest from extinction. For centuries 

 the B. bonasus has had but a few hundred survivors, while its total extermi- 

 nation lias been prevented only through royal protection; the /!. amerieanus, 

 on the other hand, still has millions of representatives, and a few decades ago 

 swarmed in immense herds over nearly a third of the North American conti- 

 nent. 



6. — Description of the Existing Species. 



BISON AMERICANUS (Gmelin) Smith. 



American Bison or Buffalo. 



Bo* amerieanus Ghklin, Syst Nat, I, 204, 1788. — Dksmarrbt, Nouv. Din. Hist Nat, III. 581, 1816; 

 Mammalogie, 496, pi. xliv, 1820. — Harlan, Fauna Araer., 268, 1825. — Godman, Amer. Nat Ili>t., 

 Ill, i. 1826.— Desmouun, Diet Class. 1 1 > -t - Nat, II. 865, 1822. Richardson, Fauna Bor. Ann r., 

 I, 27D, 1829. — 1'im in r, Synop. Main., 195, 658, 1829. Coopi r, Month. Am- Journ. Geol & Nat 

 Hist, 1881,44, 174, 207 (remains ..t Big-bone Lick, Ky.); Amer. Journ. s, i.. XX, 871, 1881; Edinb. 

 New Phil. Journ., XI. 853, 1881. Doughty, Cab, Nat Hist, II. 169, pi. xW, 1882. — Sabine, Frank- 

 lin's Journi Wagner, Schrober's Saugt, V, 472, 1835. Giebi 

 — Baird, Mam. N. Vmcr., 682, 1867 ; I S &Mcx. Bound Surrey, Pt H 52,1859. — Newberry, 

 Pacil K. I: Expl. & Surveys, VI, iv, 72, 1851 Socelei fc Ginns, rbid., XII. ii. 188, It 

 Xamtus, Zeol. Garten, 1, 109. Allen, Pi Boil - Nat Hist, XJJI, 186, 1869; XVJJ, 89, 1874. 

 I iti ' ■ N : Hist Carolina, II. A|>p.. •-">. cxviii, 1754. Brisson, Reg. Anim., 

 Quad., 1766. - Smith, Griffith's Cuv., V, 874, 1827.- Di Kay, Nat Hisl New York Zool., Pi I, 

 110,1842. sisi.ivvn. KoRg Sv.Vel Akad. HandL for 1844, 208, 1846. Gray, Knowsley*! 

 Men ig., 49, 1860; I tl Man Bill Mo , Pi III 89, 1852; Hand-List ol Edentate, Thii k Skinned, 

 . i; loan) Mam Gi Rfl kRD, I I f Mam. B Mu 180 1 91 13 Pi rni b, 



