HYBRID CATTLE 
251 
As regards buffaloes, Dr. W. T. Blanford^ states 
that the Indian species never breeds with humped 
cattle ; but whether this also holds good for the 
African species, and whether the latter will cross with 
its Indian cousin, I have no information. That the 
latter union might take place is very possible ; but 
seeing that buffaloes differ much more widely from 
all other kinds of cattle than do the different species 
of the latter from another, it is quite probable that 
the African buffalo will not breed with either 
European or humped cattle. 
The foregoing facts have a certain bearing on 
the systematic classification of the various members 
of the cattle group. It has often been held 
that such animals as will breed together and produce 
fertile offspring must be regarded as specifically in- 
separable ; and the idea has been recently revived by 
Sir Ray Lankester^ in regard to the members of the 
horse family. Now in the present case it is quite 
certain that such animals as European cattle, humped 
cattle, gayal, yak, and the two kinds of bison severally 
represent perfectly distinct species, in spite of the fact 
that, under certain conditions, some of them will inter- 
breed and produce fertile offspring when in a state 
of partial or complete domestication. Consequently, 
interbreeding or non-interbreeding cannot be taken 
as a test of the specific or racial status of any kinds of 
animal. 
On the other hand, although such mutually fertile 
animals as the above are certainly entitled to rank as 
the representatives of distinct species, it does seem 
absurd to refer them, as is the practice of many 
^ Fauna of British India — Mammalia ^ London, 1888-91, p. 493. 
- "Science from an Easy Chair," Daily Telegraphy 21st Jan. 191 1. 
