290 On the Flat-ltorned Taurine Catite of 8. M Asia. [No. 3, 



With this fact, therefore, to bear in mind, the excessive 

 shyness and wildness of the feral herds known to be descended 

 from domestic humped cattle, and also the fact (which I and 

 others know from experience) of the extreme difficulty there 

 is in subdning the wild propensities of the common Bengal Jun- 

 gle-fowl (Gtalltts EEEEUGiNEus v. hankivus), from which wild 

 species all the races of domestic poultry are as clearly derived 

 as are those of tame Ducks from the Mallard, we are quite justified, 

 I thiuk, in withholding assent to the current opinión that the Gaonr 

 (Bos gattrits), or any kindred species, is incapable of domestication. 



have attempted to realize this branch of commerce, have met with. From the 

 same source tallow might be obtained in abundance, were there only a few specula- 

 tors to inaugúrate the trade, and to direct it into the natural channels for its 

 development." 



The making over of a considerable portion of the Tarai región to a Hindú 

 Prince (Jungh Baliádur) will, of course, tend to a further preservation of these 

 feral cattle. Another ancl more remarkable localifcy where many beasts of the 

 sort (and of various colours) are little molested, is the churr or alluvial island 

 known as the Siddi churr, lying S. E. of Noacolly in the eastern Sundarbáns. 

 On this churr there is no high tree-jungle, and scarcely brushwood enough to 

 afford cover for Tigers, which do not occur on the island. 



It is probable that such feral herds occur also in África. Thus, in some 

 " Notes on an Expedition down the Western Coast of África to ' the Bijuga 

 Islands,' and the recently discovered river Kiddafing," by Col. L. Smyth 

 O'Connor, C. B., E. B. G. S., comnmnicated by the Colonial office to the Boyal 

 Geographical Society, and published in its Journal for 1859, p. 384, it appears 

 that in the island of Ovanga " the finest Oxen are wild in innumerable herds." 

 In general, however, the notices of wild cattle in África refer either to — 1. 

 Bubaline species, — 2. Gnus (Catoblepas), or ' wilde beests' of the Dutch colo- 

 nista, — 3. Species of the Hartebeest group, as especially Aceonottts btjbalis 

 in N. África, — 4. Even the Leucoryx and kindred Antelopes. As an illustration 

 of this vague application of ñames, Capt. Lyon mentions a chain of mouníains 

 to the south of Fezzan, named Wadan, " on account of the immense number of 

 Buffaloes to be found there, and which are of three species, viz. the Wadan 

 [Ovis TEAGELAfíius !], an animal of the size of an Ass, having very large (or, 

 as is elsewhere stated, very long, heavy) horns, and large bunches of hair hang- 

 ing from the shoulder, to the length of 18 in. or 2 ft. ; they have very larga 

 heads, and are very fierce. The Boaua-el-Weish [Acronotus bübalis ?], which 

 is a kind of Buffalo, slow in its motion, having very large horns, and being 

 of the size of an ordinary cow ; and the Whifce Bufíalo [Oeyx leuco- 

 eyx!], of a lighter and more active make, very shy and swift, and not easily 

 procured. The calving-time of these animáis is in April or May." (Travels in 

 iV". África, pp. 76, 271.) Pr. Barth notices the Ovis teagelaphtjs by the 

 ñame Wadan. " Wild Oxen" of some sort are stated to inhabit the country 

 borclering on the river Koanza. (Journ. Hoy. Geog. Soc. XXIV, 272.J Capt. 

 Burton, also, in his recently published work, 'Tlie Lake Begions of Central 

 África,' notices that — " The park-lands of Duthumi, the jungles and forests oí' 

 Ugoei ancl Mgunda Mk'hali, the barrens of Usukuma, and the tangled thickets 

 of Ujiji, are full of noble game — Lions and Leopards, Elephants ancl Bhinoceroses, 

 wild cattle (Buííaloes ?), Griraffes, Gnus, Zebras, Quaggas, and Ostriches." Gnus, 

 at least, being here discriminated. 



