294 UNGULATA. 



Bison heads are also much sought for. 



Talking the number of horned cattle in the United 

 States as about 50,00.0,000, and as about 3,500,000 in 

 the Dominion of Canada, we should estimate at a guess 

 that on the discovery of America there could not have 

 been less than 60,000,000 Buffaloes at that time, 

 probably even 80,000,000. 



Extensive cattle ranches now occupy the vast tracts 

 which were the chief home of the Bison. To these cattle, 

 more or less fierce, pedigree shorthorns were intro- 

 duced to improve the breed ; but as their constitution 

 was not well adapted to the climate, this cross has been 

 superseded by the Hereford, which has in its time given 

 way to the Aberdeen or. Angus. The cross with this 

 latter breed would probably suit the climate best, owing 

 to their thicker coat and more robust frame. The ranches 

 owners' losses would then be lessened, which are now 

 very great in a severe winter. 



The flesh of the Buffalo is very good ; the hump is 

 excellent, and the flesh of the cow is even more 

 succulent and juicy. The tongue is delicious. Some 

 fifteen or twenty years ago, a few tongues were imported, 

 and though they were sold at 5s. each, they were con- 

 sidered a great delicacy, the flavour being very rich and 

 delicate. Some thirty or forty years ago, a few humps 

 were imported, but they are now quite unknown. 



The Bison appears to be merely a woolly variety of 

 the domestic cattle. It interbreeds freely with the 

 Gayal and domestic cattle, and the offspring from these 

 crosses is fertile ; arid as the Gayal also interbreeds with 

 the domestic cattle, it might be argued from these 

 results that they are all varieties of the same species. 



The North-west Buffalo Breeding Company was formed 

 in the United States in 1886. The object was to inter- 



