RUMINATING QUADBUPEDS. 139 



on its enemy with the most determined ferocity. Bichardson gives 

 an instance of its fury when wounded. 



"Mr. Finnan M'Donald, one of the Hudson's Bay Com- 

 pany's clerks, was descending the Saskatchewan in a boat, and one 

 evening, having pitched his tent for the night, he went out in tho 

 dusk to look for game. It had become nearly dark, when he fired 

 at a bison bull, which was galloping over a small eminence, and aa 

 he was hastening forward to see if his shot had taken efiect, the 

 wounded beast made a rush at him. He had the presence of mind 

 to seize the animal by the long hair on its forehead as it struck 

 him on the side with its horn, and being a remarkably tall and 

 powerful man, a struggle ensued, which continued until his wrist 

 was severely sprained, and his arm was rendered powerless; ha 

 then fell, and after receiving two or three blows became senseless. 

 Shortly afterwards he was found by his companions lying bathed 

 in blood, being gored in several places, and the bison was couched 

 beside him, apparently waiting to renew the attack had he shown 

 any signs of life." 



The strength and weight of the Bison is enormous, and as 

 it is a fierce as well as a powerful animal, it may seem singular that 

 it should be so easily killed. The explanation of this question 

 will be found in the structure of the animal. It will be seen from 

 the engraving that the Bison holds its head low, and cannot see 

 much higher than the legs of a horse without exertion. In eon- 

 bcquence, when enraged, it charges in a direct line, and thus the 

 trained horses of the Indian hunters turn aside from its course, 

 and contrive to place themselves close alongside the furious animal, 

 sheering off with admirable dexterity as soon as the deadly arrow 

 has sped from their masters' hands. Indeed, a well-trained horse 

 will unhesitatingly dash in among a whole herd of bisons, thread- 

 ing its way among them unscathed. 



The flesh of the Bison is tolerable eating, but the " hump" 

 appears, from all accounts, to be unapproachable in delicacy. It is 

 exceedingly tender, and possesses the property of not cloying even 

 when eaten in excess. The fat also is said to be devoid of that 



