708 On Various Genera of the Ruminants. [July, 



quently have sexual intercourse with the tame ones of their kind, of 

 which likewise vast numbers are depastured there. Old males of the 

 Gaur are often found solitarily wandering the forests they frequent, 

 especially in winter : but these have probably been recently expelled 

 the herds by their more vigorous juniors, and re-unite themselves with 

 some herd after the season of love and contention has passed. It is 

 exceedingly difficult to rear the Gauri Gau in confinement. Nor did 

 I ever know a successful experiment, though the attempt has been, 

 for 50 years past, constantly made by the Court of Nepal, which finds 

 no difficulty in rearing wild Buffaloes and causing them to breed in 

 confinement with the domestic species, which is thus greatly improved 

 in size and other qualities. I have remarked on the excessive shyness 

 of the Gaurs ; and it follows that, when approached, they will retreat 

 so long as they can : but if compelled to stand and defend themselves, 

 they do so with a courage and determination not to be surpassed. 

 Their beef is unequalled for flavour and tenderness : but to the abori- 

 gines only it is illicit food, and not to all tribes of them ; nor are any of 

 them allowed to kill the Gaur in Hindu kingdoms. The Gaur stands 

 from 6 to 6% feet high at the shoulder, and is either of a ruddy brown, 

 alias tan, or of a black colour, the forehead and limbs below the mid 

 flexures being pale, and the forehead and knees tufted. Capt. Tickell, 

 a good observer, believes that there are two species of Bibos in the 

 Chota Nagpoor territories alone I Doubtless close investigation will 

 reveal many new species in the Bovinee. 



4. Genus Bison. 



Yak. Chouri Gau. 



Cranium moderate, depressed, with the facial portion exceeding the 

 frontal and cerebral parts. 



Frontals broader than long, convex and forming on obtuse angle with 

 the occipital plane. 



Occipital plane smaller than the frontal plane, trigonal or semi-circu- 

 lar, and ridged by the parietes. 



Orbits salient. 



Condyles of great foramen and of lower jaw low, and the jaw straight. 

 Horns attached below the curved or pent intercornual ridge, rounded 

 and curving out of the horizontal line. 



