THE LIFE OF MAMMALS 
refuge under certain trees, whose branches drooped to the ground, forming 
an almost impenetrable shelter.”’ 
This introduces us to the true buffaloes, — a section of tropical 
cattle, usually heavily built, with massive, flattened, wrinkled 
Indian horns rising from the forehead, and the hair so thin 
Buffalo. that in old animals the bluish black skin is left al- 
most naked. The typical buffalo is that native to India and 
Ceylon, where it formerly roved in herds, which, quickly form- 
ing into a comipact bunch, heads and horns out, defied attack 
from even the lion or tiger. Bulls often exceed five feet in 
height, are bulky, extremely strong and yet quick, and carry 
rough horns, sweeping back circularly, which may measure 
twelve feet around the curve. Such a veteran herd master 
spends his days wallowing in marshy jungles, his broad, splayed 
hoofs sustaining him in the muddy soil, and his hairless back, 
coated with clay, proof against insects; but evenings and morn- 
ings he leads his band out to feed in lush prairies where the 
grass is tall enough to hide them. 
Sportsmen agree that no game animal is more dangerous than a bull 
buffalo, for it is not only likely to attack one unprovoked, but nothing but 
death will stop its rush. ‘A buffalo,’’ declares Baker,’ “‘if not killed, 
will assuredly destroy its adversary. There is no creature in existence that 
is so determined to stamp out the life of its opponents, and the intensity of 
fury is unsurpassed when a wounded bull buffalo rushes forward upon the 
last desperate charge.” The bloody history of both East Indian and 
African sport is filled with practical evidence of the truth of this statement. 
Pugnacity and revenge seem the animal’s ruling impulses, and tremendous 
fights constantly take place between rival bulls and with other animals. 
Blanford says instances are known of elephants being knocked down, and 
of tigers caught, tossed, and then trampled. The half-wild herd bulls are 
nearly as vicious as those of the jungle; and a favorite sport of Indian 
princes was to pit two in the bull-ring or against a captive tiger-or bear. 
Nevertheless, this buffalo has long been domesticated, first on the Indian 
plains in prehistoric times, and is greatly esteemed for qualities in which 
the humped cattle are deficient. Oriental husbandry needs both; but 
while the buffalo is made use of, it gets none of the affectionate respect 
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