276 



The Cape Buffalo {Bubalus caffer) is distinguislied, by its 

 large horns, from all the other species peculiar to the Old World, 

 the flattened bases of which cover the top of its head Kke a 

 helmet, only leaving a triangular space between them. The 

 horns of this African Ruminant are black, while its coat is 

 brown. It lives in numerous herds ia the thickest forests of ; 

 Southern Africa, from the northern limits of Cape Colony as far ; 

 as Guinea, When in the open country it is shy and cautious; ' 

 but is formidable and aggressive when hunted ia the woods \ 

 which form its principal retreat. Buffalo hunting is one of the s 

 occupations of the natives of the south of Africa ; and it is not 

 unaccompanied by danger, for it often happens that the re- 

 spective characters are inverted, and it is the Buffalo which ■ 

 chases the hunters (Fig. 106). 



The Yak, or Horse-taHed Buffalo {Bos grunniens, Linn.), has a ; 

 large tuft of woolly hair on its head, and a sort of mane on its • 

 neck ; the underneath part of its body, particularly around the ; 

 legs, is covered with very bushy, long, pendent hair; its tail, • 

 which is entirely covered with hair, resembles that of a horse ; ; 

 while its voice is a low and monotonous sound, which becomes 

 harsh and discordant when the animal is excited. 



It is found undomesticated on the confines of Chinese Tartary. 

 It is then wild, irascible, and dangerous ; but when captured 

 and broken in, it proves a useful servant to the inhabitants of 

 Thibet and the north of China, who utilise it as we do our cattle. 

 Its milk is excellent ; and its strength in carrying loads and 

 dragging ploughs and conveyances extraordinary. But it is with 

 difficulty they are tamed, for their disposition is always restless 

 and wUful, and subject to fits of bad temper. Its flesh is highly 

 esteemed, and coarse fabrics are made from its hair. 



The tail of this Ruminant has long been valued in the East. 

 Attached to the end of a lance, with the Mussulmen it is the 

 insignia of the dignity of Pacha; and, the higher this dignity, 

 the greater is the number of tails which the possessor of rank has 

 a right to have carried before him. The Chinese also adorn 

 themselves with the tail of the Yak, dyed red, by placiag it in 

 their caps. It is moreover employed as a switch for driving 

 away flies. 



Yaks have been successfully introduced into Europe, and they 



