452 Illustrations of the Genera of the Bovince. [No. 114. 



transverse processes of Lumbar Vertebrae long and strong, spinous process 

 of this not specially developed: the 3rd Dorsal Vertebra the longest, 

 whence a gradual and uniform shortening of spinous processes to 10th, 

 which is not longer than those of Lumbars, Metacarpal bone (Canon) 

 long, ditto Metatarsus, forehead flat, nasal bones obtusely arched ; facial 

 portion of skull (all below the orbits) longer than in Bibos, shorter than 

 in Bisonus, or Bubalus, in which longest of all. Intercornual space 

 scarcely arched ; skull less massive than in Bibos, more so than in 

 Bisonus ; Posteal aspect of skull square and smaller compared to fore- 

 head (all above orbits) than in Bisonus, greatly so than in Bibos. 



Bibos. — Skull deep, broad, and very massive, an elevated massive and 

 protruding intercornual crest, overhanging the forehead nasal bones, 

 longitudinally arched (especially in the male), giving along with the 

 protruding intercornual crest, a hollow appearance to the forehead. 

 Posteal aspect of skull as extensive as the forehead. Horns of great 

 thickness, short and invested over their intermediate crest. Ribs and 

 Dorsal Vertebree 13; Lumbars 6; lateral processes of Lumbars, less 

 developed than in Bos, more so than in Bisonus. Ribs laterally bulging 

 as in Bos — if any difference less so. Metacarpus (Canon bone) and 

 Metatarsus shorter than in Bos, longer than in Bisonus. Spinous ridge 

 greatly developed both in altitude and in extent — the processes conti- 

 nuing of great length to the 11th. They exceed those in Bos, even in 

 a greater degree, than the massiveness of skull and horns would in- 

 dicate. 



Bisonus. — Dorsal Vertebrae and Ribs 14 — Lumbars 5 — Ribs straight, 

 and costal cavity compressed and cervine compared with Bos and Bibos. 

 Spinous ridge greatly developed anteriorly, but less protracted in extent 

 and declining (from 3d spinous process) more abruptly than in Bibos. 

 Skull less massive than in Bos or Bibos, facial portion longer and more 

 finely tapering. Superior portion of forehead transversely arched. In- 

 tercornual space centrally elevated, viewed anteriorly, this portion is a 

 truncated cone, posteal aspect of skull triangular, more extensive than 

 in Bos, but greatly less so than in Bibos. Metatarsus and Metacarpus, 

 shorter than in Bibos or Bos. . 



Remarks.— -The character of the limbs in Bos, indicate the greatest 

 degree of locomotive speed, and the developement of the Lumbar region, 

 promises the greatest burden-bearing power. The cervine character 

 of costal region in Bisonus may, in locomotive energy compensate the 

 longer canon bone, and Metatarsus of Bos, nor is it improbable, that 

 the additional pair of ribs in the same animal, by adding to his length 

 of barrel and shortness of loins, may compensate to him the greater 

 indications of strength in the Lumbar region of Bos. 



