482 
YERTEBRATA. 
Different authors have classed these animals in various ways, some regarding them as of a single 
genus, others as of a single species, and still others as constituting several genera. We shall 
adopt the arrangement of Gervais, which seems the most natural, and treat them as consisting of 
one Genus, OX, Bos, and divided into six subgenera, Bihos, Yak, Bonasus, Buffalo, Ovibos, and 
Taurus. Before we proceed, however, we present to the reader the following curious table, 
furnished by Mr. Vasey in his "Delineation of the Ox Tribe," showing the differences in the num- 
ber of vertebras belonging to the several species and varieties of Bovina. 
Names of Species. 
American Bison.. 
European Bison. . 
Yak 
Gayal (Domestic) 
Indian Buffalo . . . 
Gaur 
Domestic Ox 
Manilla Buffalo . . 
Cape Buffalo .... 
Zamouse 
Banting 
Zebu 
Subgenus BIBOS : Bibos of Hodgson. — Of this there is a single species, the Jungle-Ox, or 
Jungle-Ghau of India, the Bos frontalis of Lambert, and the Bos sylhetanus of F. Cuvier. In 
-Oriental language it is called ghau, Avhich means cow, whence we have Nylghau, which means 
fBlue-cotv. The English give to the Jungle- Ox the various names of Gauri-Ghau, Gayal, and 
iBison. The entire body of this species is red, and the feet whitish ; the size is that of the com- 
iraon domestic ox; the horns are arched and marked with ridges, transverse to their base. It is 
widely distributed, extending from Hindostan to Cochin China. It lives in small herds in dense 
forests and marshy thickets, and is endowed with such strength and courage that it easily defends 
itself from the most formidable beasts of the wilderness. It is, however, of a mild disposition, and 
is not dangerous even in its own dominions. It is domesticated and bred by some of the Hindoos, 
who only make use of the flesh and hides, though the milk has a peculiar richness. In some 
instances it is said to be used for draught. The cow goes eleven months, and will breed with the 
common Indian bull. Large flocks of these animals arc owned by some of the natives ; they 
roam at large during the day, but come home at evening, being trained to this by receiving small 
quantities of salt. Some Hindoos regard this as a sacred animal. 
The Gaur or Gour, Bos Gaurus of Smith, is regarded by some naturalists as a distinct species. 
It is found in the mountainous parts of Central India, where it lives in small herds, and is a wild 
and savage animal. 
The Banting or Sumatra Ox, Bos Banting, is a wild species, found in Java and Borneo ; it 
resembles the Gaur in appearance, but its osteology is peculiar, and it is doubtless a distinct species. 
Subgenus YAK, or PQ5PHAGIJS, according to Gray. — Of this there is one species only, the 
Yak, Sarlyk, or Grunting-Ox, Grunting-Bull, Savora-Goy or Bulbul, the Bos Grunniens 
of Linnseus. The color of this animal, of which there are wild as well as tame varieties, is 
black ; the back and tail often white ; the hair is thick and long, and the tail is long, silky, 
and beautiful. It is used for military standards, and, being dyed red, is employed for tufts to the 
caps of the Chinese. Both the male and female have a constant grunt like that of a hog. On 
the shoulders is a hump, covered with long hair. The horns are like those of a common ox. 
This species is extensively bred in Thibet and the adjacent parts of Central Asia, where it is 
extremely useful to the inhabitants. There are several breeds, as the Noble Yah, the Ploiv YaJc^ 
GhainoriTc, Wild Yah, &c. Those used for the plow are short-legged, carry their heads low, and 
have a mean aspect. Those used for riding, which, by the way, are guided by the nose, are 
much handsomer, and have a stately appearance. They are, however, somewhat vicious, kick, 
turn round and grunt, sometimes furiously, and with a kind of rattling in their throat. This 
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