MAMMALIA. 281 
Charlemagne, was not rare in Germany, but is now nearly confined to the 
hilly country lying between the Caspian and Black Sea. 
The bison wander constantly from place to place, either from being. disturbed 
by hunters or in quest of food. They are much attracted by the soft tender 
grass, which springs up after a fire has spread over the prairie. In winter 
they scrape away the snow with their feet to reach the grass. The bulls and 
cows live in separate herds for the greatest part of the year, but at all seasons 
one or two old bulls generally accompany a large herd of cows. In the rutting 
season, the males fight against each other with great fury, and at that period it is 
very dangerous to approach them. The bison is, however, in general, a shy 
animal, and takes to flight instantly on winding an enemy, which the acuteness. 
of its sense of smell enables it to do from a great distance. They are less wary 
when they are assembled together in numbers, and will then often blindly follow 
’ their leaders, regardless of, or trampling down the hunters posted in their way. It 
is dangerous for the hunter to shew himself after having wounded one, for it 
will pursue him, and although its gait may appear heavy and awkward, it will 
have no great difficulty in overtaking the fleetest runner. While I resided at 
Carlton-house, an accident of this kind occurred. Mr. Finnan M‘Donald, one of 
‘the Hudson’s Bay Company’s clerks, was descending the Saskatchewan in a boat, 
and one evening having pitched his tent for the night, he went out in the dusk to 
-look for game. It had become nearly dark when he fired at a bison-bull, which 
was galloping over a small eminence, and as he was hastening forward to see if 
his shot had taken effect, the wounded beast made a rush at him. He had the 
presence of mind to seize the animal by the long hair on its forehead as it struck 
him on the side with its horn, and being a remarkably tall and powerful man, a 
struggle ensued, which continued until his wrist was severely sprained, and his 
arm was rendered powerless ; he then fell, and after receiving two or three blows 
became senseless. Shortly afterwards he was found by his companions lying 
bathed in blood, being gored in several places, and the bison was couched beside 
him, apparently waiting to renew the attack had he shewn any sigris of life. 
Mr. M‘Donald recovered from the immediate effects of the injuries he received, 
but died a few months afterwards. Many other instances might be mentioned 
of the tenaciousness with which this animal pursues its revenge, and I have 
been told of a hunter having been detained for many hours in a tree by an 
old bull which had taken its post below to watch him. When it contends with 
a dog, it strikes violently with its fore-feet, and in that way proves more than 
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