886 



ASIA. 



common cattle of Centra! Asia ; this animal furnishes the tails of long, silky, white hair, o 

 which the natives make their military standards, and which are used all over the East, under the 

 .lame oi' choivries, in driving off flics. The Buffalo ( B. buhalus) is found both wild and tame 

 m southeastern Asia ; fights between the buffalo and tiger were formerly a favorite s]iort of the 

 Indian princes ; and tliis animal is known to defend the herdsmen with great courage from the 

 attacks of the tigers and leopards. The buffalo is not used for draft or burden, but only for its 

 milk. The Gayal (B. Gavccus) is common among the Burmese. The Indian Ox {B. In- 

 dicus) is found in all southern Asia, the East India Islands, and on the eastern coast of Africa. 

 It is used as a beast of draft and burden. Its flesh is inferior to common beef, but the hump is 

 fat and delicate. The animal is as large as a conmion ox, and of a slaiy-gray color. 



The antelopes of Asia are numerous, and comprise some of the largest and smallest of this 



extensive genus. The JVj/Z Glum (Anti- 

 lope picla) is one of the largest and most 

 magnificent of the antelopes known, being 

 upwards of 4 feet high at the shoulder, it 

 is a very powerful and resolute animal, and 

 frequently turns upon its pursuers ; previous 

 to making its attack, it drops upon the fore 

 knees, and when within a proper distance, 

 it darts forward with a fury that no animal 

 can withstand. Even in confinement it is 

 found to be vicious, violent, and of a change- 

 able temper. The Gazelle {Jl. subguttu- 

 rosa) has been immortalized by the poets 

 for its beauty and grace. Its eyes are large, 

 dark, and expressive of softness ; all its 

 movements are«replete with grace and agi- 

 lity. It is rarely more than 2 feet high, 

 and is less than 3 feet long. The Four- 

 horned Antelopes^ or Cliicharas, are pecu- 

 liar to India ; they are delicately shaped, 

 wild, and agile little creatures, about 20 

 inches high. The Dorcas Antelope, the 

 Goral of Nepanl, the Thar of the same 

 country, and other species, occur. The 

 jyiusk Deer {JMoschus moschiferus) of Thi- 

 bet, yields the valuable drug so called. 



There are several species of sheep, among 

 which Angora Slieep, the Fat-rumpcd Sheep 

 of Thibet, and the Broad-tailed Sheep of 

 Arabia and Syria are the most remarkable. 

 The hair of the Angora Goat is long and 

 soft, and much esteemed for fabricating 

 shawls and other articles ; but the Shawl 

 Goat of Cashmere furnishes the soft and 

 beautiful wool, of which the Indians manu- 

 facture those rich and valuable shawls so 

 highly prized by the ladies in this country 

 and in Europe. 



It is most probable that both the Camel 

 (Camelus Bactrianus) and the Dromedary (C. dromedarius) are of Asiatic origin. The 

 camel, which is distinguished by two humps on the back, is confined to the wandering Tartar 

 tribes of central Asia, but the dromedary is scattered over all southwestern Asia and northern 

 Africa, and is found, as a domestic animal, in India and China. This is the animal mentioned 

 in the lists ot the great herds and flocks of the earliest patriarchs, and is invaluable to the inha- 

 bitants of the countries where it is found. Three species of Horse (Eqnus) occur in Asia ; 

 and central Asia is, in all probability, the native home of the horse and the ass. These animals 

 are not found in southern Africa, but many of the pastoral tribes of Asia may be said to live on 



