THE BUFFALO. 
15 
our domestic cattle, and his horns are very 
strong, wide, and spreading. The species is 
extensively diffused over the fertile plains of 
^he tropical regions, avoiding mountains and 
e^en hills, and preferring the coarse plants 
growing in forests or in marshy situations to 
those of the open country. When oppressed 
hy heat they betake themselves to the water, 
swimming well, and crossing the broadest 
^rx^ers without hesitation. Bishop Heber, in 
® Voyage up the Ganges, when near Putwa, 
'observed a large herd of buffaloes in the water, 
^hove the surface of which only their horns 
noses were visible : but at sunset they re- 
P^U’ed to the shore, sleek, black, and glossy, 
^'jo shy to suffer any one to approach them, 
showing no degree of fierceness. 
In Africa and India numerous herds of 
uffaloes frequent the vast savannahs, which 
rarely visited by man, whom they seldom 
'^^ntiire to attack unless they are first exas- 
