CHAPTER XXV. 

 EASTERN CATTLE 



THE DOMESTIC CATTLE OF INDIA — THE ZEBU — THE WILD CATTLE OF INDIA — GENUS BIBOS — THE 

 GAYAL — THE GAUR — THE BANTENG — GENUS POEPHAGOS — THE YAK — THE PLOUGH YAK — 

 HUNTING THE YAK— GENUS ANOA— THE CHAMOIS-BUFFALO OF CELEBES — ITS FIERCENESS. 



A 



S this chapter is devoted to Indian Cattle, we have included in it 

 the Domestic Cattle of Hindostan, although they belong to the 

 genus Bos, and ought properly to be treated of in Chapter 

 XXIII. 



THE ZEBU. 



The Domestic Cattle of India is commonly known by the name of 

 Zebu, and is, like the Sanga, conspicuous for the curious fatty hump 

 which projects from the withers. These animals are further remarkable 

 for the heavy dewlap which falls in thick folds from the throat, and 

 which gives to the fore part of the animal a very characteristic aspect. 

 The limbs are slender, and the back, after rising toward the haunches, 

 falls suddenly at the tail. The ears are long and drooping, the horns 

 very short, the color of the coat is various, but usually a reddish-brown, 

 or dun. 



The Zebu is a quiet and intelligent animal, and is capable of being 

 trained in various modes for the service of mankind. It is a good 

 draught animal, and is harnessed either to carriages or ploughs, which it 

 can draw with great steadiness, though with but little speed. Some- 

 times it is used for riding, and is possessed of considerable endurance, 

 being capable of carrying a rider for fifteen hours in a day, at an average 

 rate of five or six miles per hour. The Nagore breed is specially cele- 

 brated for its capabilities as a steed, and is remarkable for its peculiarly 

 excellent action. These animals are very active, and have been known 

 to leap over a fence which was higher than our five-barred gates, merely 

 for the purpose of drinking at a certain well, and, having slaked their 



