THE SMALLEST WILD CATTLE 305 
tamarau, of the island of Mindoro, and the aforesaid 
extinct Indian species, constitute an- altogether peculiar 
and primitive group of the buffalo tribe. 
In its young state and during middle life the anoa is 
covered with a fairly thick coat of somewhat woolly hair, 
which is at first yellowish brown, but eventually becomes 
dark brown or blackish. In common with other Asiatic 
buffaloes, the hair is reversed along the middle line of 
the neck and back as far as the haunches; that is to 
say the tips are directed towards the head instead of 
towards the tail. What may be the precise object of this 
reversal (which is also met with among many antelopes 
and deer) is not yet ascertained. Possibly it may have 
something to do with the manner in which the animals 
rub themselves against the stems or boughs of trees and 
bushes. 
In old individuals, especially those of the male sex, 
the coat of hair almost completely disappears, leaving the 
black skin bare and shining, like that of old buffaloes in 
general. This condition has been attained by the bull 
shown in the foreground of the accompanying photograph. 
And here it should be remarked that this particular 
animal has suffered the loss of the greater portion of 
its tail, which somewhat alters the appearance of its. 
hindquarters. With the usual fatality that attends the 
grouping of animals, it has also happened that the hind- 
quarters of the bull are in full view, while those of the 
cow are concealed. The somewhat spiteful and uncertain 
temper of the bull is indicated by the circumstance that 
it was found necessary to affix brass knobs to its horns, 
From the more typical buffaloes the anoa differs by the 
general presence of white markings. These usually take 
the form of a gorget on the lower part of the throat, 
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