EXISTING KINDS OF WILD CATTLE 213 
domesticated cattle, for instance, the transverse ridge 
on which are carried the horns is situated on the 
extreme vertex of the skull, so that its hind surface 
is situated practically in the same plane as the 
occiput, which is thus completely concealed when 
the skull is viewed from in front. 
In bison, on the other hand, the horns and their 
supporting ridge are situated some distance below 
the plane of the occipital surface of the skull, so that 
the raised arch or rim which forms the upper border 
of that surface is distinctly visible in a front view. 
Then, again, the upper part of the skull of a bison 
is very much shorter and wider than that of an 
ordinary ox, with the forehead somewhat convex, 
the distance between the bases of the horn-cores 
and the sockets of the eyes much shorter, and the 
eye-sockets themselves very prominent and tubular. 
In these latter respects the skull of a zebu is some- 
what nearer that of a bison than is the skull of a 
typical ox, although the setting-on of the horns still 
affords an easy means of distinguishing between 
bison and zebu skulls. Finally, it is important to 
mention that the skeleton of a bison differs from that 
of an ordinary ox by having fifteen, in place of 
twelve, pairs of ribs. 
Forests with abundance of marshy ground, like 
that of Bielowitza, appear to be the favourite resorts 
of bison, which subsist largely by browsing; and 
those kept by Count Potocki have a habitat of this 
nature. When alive, bison exhale a peculiar musky 
odour. The winter coat is everywhere long ; and in 
spring this is shed in large blanket-like masses, 
leaving the hair on the hind half of the body short 
and sleek. 
