1839] 



in the Southern Mahratta Country. 



233 



ble stench from the mouth. A similar disease, it may be noted, prevail- 

 ed, I was informed, at the same iimp, among the Bison of the Sherwa- 

 royah, Sband amnngalu'n and N ilgherry hills. The calves I had, never 

 became in any degree domes icated : the domesticated cow could never 

 be induced to suckle then)." 



I may add, that the persevering ferocity of the Bison of the Sub Hima- 

 layan rang", des-ribed by Mr. Hodgson, is quite foreign to the character 

 of the animal in the southern forests. When wounded, it is true, it 

 charges its assailant with determined courage, and many instances have 

 come to my knowledge of its doing so with fatal effect, among which I 

 may cite those of two officers within the last few years, both of whom 

 were killed at the Mahabaleshwar hills ; but in general it will always 

 seek its safety by flight, if permitted. 



The figure at Plate 5 is taken from an indifferent sketch made of 

 the very old bull, described at page 229, and gives a tolerable idea of 

 the character of such an animal, though not quite correct in all its de- 

 tails. The dorsal ridge is too prominent ; the expression of the head, 

 particularly about the muzzle, is too heavy, and the hoofs of the hind 

 feet are too large, these being in reality only half the size of those on 

 the fore-feet. 



Plate 6 shows the crania in front and profile of another very old bull, 

 killed on theNeilgherry hills, now in my possession ; and of a young cow. 

 The difference produced in the shape of the horns by age is distinctly 

 shown. The great expansion of the bull's horns is entirely the effect of 

 age, in the young males they are more erect, and the points turned to 

 each other, while in this individual they are altogether divergent, cne 

 being half broken off, and the point of the other worn and ragged, which 

 is always found to be the case with adult bulls. The dimensions of this 

 cranium are — 



Height from the end of the maxillary bone to the vertex... Inches. 22 



Breadth of front between the edges of the horns 13 to 14 



Length of horn from base to point in a straight line 21 



Do. do. along the curve 30 



Diameter (longest section) inside . • 6k 



Do. (broadest do.) „ 4f 



Circumference at the base , , 18£ 



Distance between the points 39 



The above catalogue being confined to the animals of a "single pro- 

 vince, does not comprise the whole number of species found in Southern 

 India ; but, from the very diversified character of its surface, it includes 

 by far the greatest proportion. In a future number, I propose adding a 

 supplementary list of species peculiar to the Carnatic, and so to complete 

 the fauna of Southern India. 



