402 



BUFFALO. 



form of its horns, and in some particulars relative 

 to its internal structure The Buifalo is rather 

 superior in size to the common Ox ; the head 

 larger f in proportion ; the forehead higher, the 

 muzzle of a longer form, but at the same time 

 broad and square. But it is principally the form 

 of the horns that distinguishes the Buffalo. They 

 are large, and of a compressed or depressed form, 

 with the exterior edge sharp : they are strait for 

 a considerable length from their base, and then 

 bend slightly upAvard^ : their general colour is 

 nearly black. The Buffalo has an appearance of 

 great strength, and a more ferocious or malig- 

 nant aspect than the Bull ; owing to the con- 

 vexity of his forehead, the smallness of his eyes, 

 the flatness of his muzzle, and the flatter and more 

 inclined position of his horns. The general or 

 prevailing colour of the Buffalo is blackish, ex- 

 cept the hair on the top of the forehead, and that 

 at the tip of the tail, which is of a yellowish white : 

 the skin itself is also of a black colour ; and from 

 this general cast it is but very seldom observed to 

 vary ; though we meet with descriptions, in the 

 w^orks of travellers, of white, grey, and reddish 

 or bay Buffaloes. In Europe they are, however, 

 sometimes whitish on the in sides of tlie limbs, and 

 Mons. Sonnini records an example of one which 



* These are given by Mr. Daubenton, in the Count de Biittbn'^s 

 Natural History. 



f The Count de BufFon and Mr. Pennant, on the contrary, de- 

 scribe it as smaller 5 but Mr. Sonnini affirms that it is larger. 



