120 THE WONDERS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



THE ZEBUS. 



IN THE GARDENS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Some naturalists, and particularly Blumenbach, have held the opinion that the zebu does not derive its 

 origin from the same stock as our common domestic ox ; but a rigorous examination of the skeleton of 

 the two animals has proved to M. Cuvier that no essential difference exists between them, and thence 

 he is convinced that they belong to the same species. The zebu itself presents many varieties : some 

 are tall in size, others are very dimunitive ; some have horns, and others are wholly destitute of them, 

 similar to our poll breed of oxen. The majority of the species have only one hump, but some of 

 them have two. These different species are scattered through Asia, from Persia to the Moluccas, 

 and from Arabia to China ; and over the whole surface of Africa, from Senegal to the Cape of Good 

 Hope. 



The zebu is the same animal which is called the Lant or Dant in Numidia, and in several other 

 northern regions in Africa, where it is very common ; and we have considered it necessary to make 

 particular mention of this circumstance, in order to prevent our readers from confounding it with the 

 American dant, which, in reality, is nothing more than the tapir or the maipouri. The African dant or 

 zebu is so swift, that no animal, unless it be the Barbary horse, can overtake it. They are said to 

 be more easily taken in summer, because, by the force of running, their hoofs are worn among the 

 burning sands ; and the pain occasioned by this circumstance makes them step short, like the stags 

 and fallow deer of those deserts. 



As might be naturally expected, the zebu is subject to as great a variety of colours as those which 

 affect the European race. Its most common hue is a light ashy grey, passing into a cream colour, or 

 milk white ; but it is not unfrequently marked with various shades of red or brown, and occasionally 

 it becomes perfectly black. Although originally a native of very warm regions, it is capable of 

 existing and multiplying in temperate climates. " I saw," says Mr. Collison, in a letter to M. de 

 Buffon, " a great number of these animals in the Duke of Richmond's, and also in the Duke of Port- 

 land's parks, where they every year bring forth calves which are extremely beautiful." 



In Surat there is a kind of zebu not larger than a great dog, which has a furious look, and is used 

 to draw children in small carts. 



Of this race the Society has at present numerous specimens, which vary considerably in their 

 colours, the shape and extent of their horns, the size of their hump, and other equally unimportant 

 particulars. But the same general forms, and the same quiet mildness of disposition, are observable in 

 all the individuals which have come under our notice, including several specimens of a still smaller 

 race, which scarcely exceed two feet in height, and measure little more than three feet in total 

 length. 



The whole of the breeds are treated with great veneration by the Hindoos, who hold it sinful to 

 deprive them of life under any pretext whatever ; but they do not in general scruple to make the 

 animals labour for their benefit, although they consider it the height of impiety to eat of their flesh. 



