-MAMMALIA. l?oviD.iB. 
ICO F>i)VID.E. 
to tlie habits of the bison, and sa5^s that they “ Avander 
constantly from place to place, either from being dis- 
turbed by hunters or in quest of food. Thej'' are 
much attracted by the soft tender grass which springs 
up after a fire has spread over the prairie. In Avinter 
they scrape aAvay the snoAV Avitli their feet to reach 
the grass. The bulls and cows live in separate herds 
for the greatest part of the year, but at ah seasons 
one or tAVO old bulls generally accompany a large 
herd of coavs. In the rutting season the males fight 
against each other A\uth great fury, and at that peilod 
it is very dangerous to approach them. The bison is, 
hoAA^ever, in general, a shy animal, and takes to flight 
instantly on Avinding an enemy, Avhich the acuteness of 
its sense of smell enables it to do from a great distance. 
They are less wary AA'hen they are assembled together 
in numbers, and aauII then often blindly folloAv their 
leaders, regardless of, or trampling doAvn the hunters 
posted in their way It is dangerous for the hunter to 
shoAV himself after having AA'Ounded one, for it \au11 pur- 
sue him , and although its gait may appear heaA^ and 
aAvkAA’ard, it Avill have no difficulty in overtaking the 
fleetest runner. ” Sir J . Pdchardson then proceeds to 
mention the case of a Mr. M'Donald, Avho one evening 
Avent out to look for game. “ It had become nearly 
dark AA'hen he fired at a bison-bull aa'HcIi Avas galloping 
over a small eminence, and as he Avas hastening for- 
Avai'd to see if his shot had taken effect, the Avounded 
beast made a rush at him. He had the presence of 
mind to seize the animal by the long hair on its fore- 
head as it struck him on the side Avith its horn ; and 
being a remarkably tall and poAverful man, a struggle 
ensued, AA'hich continued imtil his AA'rist was seA'erely 
sprained and his arm Avas rendered poAverless. He then 
fell, and after receiving two or three bloAA's became 
senseless. Shortly afterAvards he was found by his 
companions lying bathed in blood, being gored in seve- 
ral places ; and the bison Avas couched beside him, 
apparently waiting to rencAv the attack had he shoAvn 
any signs of life. ilr. M‘Donald recovered from tlie 
immediate effects of the injuries he received, but died 
a fcAV months aftei'Avards.” Of the various modes of 
taking the American buffalo, none display the courage 
and dexterity of the Indian so much as that of himting 
them on horseback. “ An expert hTinter,” says Sk John 
Franklin, “ Avhen Avell mounted, dashes at the herd, 
and chooses an indiA'idual Avhich he endeavours to 
separate from the rest. If he succeeds, he contrives 
to keep him apart by the proper management of his 
horse, though going at full speed. Whenever he can 
get sufficiently near for a ball to penetrate the beast’s 
liide he fires, and seldom fails of bringing doAA'n the 
animal ; though of com'se he cannot rest the piece 
against the shoulder, nor take deliberate aim. On this 
service the hunter is often exposed to considerable 
danger from the fall of his horse in the numerous holes 
Avhich the badgers make in these plains, and also from 
the rage of the buffalo, Avhich, Avhen closely pressed, 
often turns suddenly, and rushing furiously on tlie 
horse, frequently succeeds in Avounding it or dis- 
mounting the rider. Wlienever the animal shoAvs this 
disposition, Avhich the experienced hunter Avill readily 
perceive, lie immediately pulls up his horse and goes 
off in another direction.” The most poAverful adver- 
sary of the buffalo is the great grisly hear, Avhose 
strength is sufficient to crush the largest bull. A full- 
groAvn male Avill Aveigh as much as two thousand 
pounds, although an ordinary specimen comes con- 
siderabh' beloAv this amount. The body is about eight 
and a half feet in length, from the tip of the muzzle to 
the root of the tail. 
THE CAPE BUFFALO (Bubalus Coffer) is a native 
of South Africa, Avhere it is knoAvn hy several other 
names, such as the Cape Ox, the Buffel, and the 
Bokolokoeo, the latter title being that employed by 
the Bechuanas. It occurs in large herds in the plams 
and forests of the interior. It is an extremely heaA'y 
and powerfully built species, a full-groAA'n specimen 
AA'eighiug as much as five and forty stone or upAvards. 
The bodj' is, in some individuals, nearly nine feet in 
length, exclusive of the tail, Avhich is three feet long, 
terminating in a tuft of coarse black hah’, reaching 
beloAV the hocks. The fur exhibits a leaden-black 
colour. The horns are massive ; very broad at tlie base, 
where they are closely approximated; and spreading 
from thence, horizontally, are turned upwards and 
inAvards at the tips, Avhich are separated from each other 
by an interspace of about four feet. Respecting the 
habits of the Cape buffalo, the early travellers, Thun- 
berg and Sparrniann, give us some interesting data ; 
and from their obserA'ations, and that of several later 
Avriters, these animals appear to be most formidable 
antagonists. Their ferocity when wounded is perfectly 
frightful. The herds are usually found grazmg in the 
immediate Ancmity of some large Avood; in numbers 
varying fi'om tAventy or thirty up to at least five hun- 
dred. Tlieir behaviour, when fired upon, seems to 
vary according to circumstances. Captain Harris 
haA'ing fallen in Avith a herd, thus briefly describes 
their conduct : — “ Creepmg close upon them, I killed 
a bull AAfith a single ball ; but the confused echo rever- 
berating among the mountains alarming the surA'ivors, 
about fifty in number, they dashed panic-stricken 
from their concealment, ignorant AA'hence the sound 
proceeded ; and everything yielding to their giant 
strength, I narroAvly escaped being trampled under 
foot in their progress.” Mr. Andersson’s account of an 
encounter Adth these animals is very animated : — “ A 
herd of buffaloes,” he says, “ at least tAvo hundred in 
number, suddenly rushed past us Avith the violence of 
a tornado, breaking down and crashing everything that 
opposed their headlong career ; and raising so great a 
cloud of dust as nearly to conceal their dark forms from 
vieAV. I fired into the midst of them at random, and 
had the satisfaction to see a coav drop to the shot. 
The report of the rifle brought the Avliole herd almost 
immediately to a stand, and facing round, they con- 
fronted us in one dark mass. Taking advantage of a 
tree at some little distance ahead, I stalked to Avithin 
about one hundred and fifty paces of this formidable 
phalanx. Resting the gun on a branch, I took a steady 
aim at the leading bull ; but though I very distinctly 
heard the bullet strike him, he did not flinch in the 
slightest degree. One of the natives having by this 
time mustered courage to steal up to me Avith my rifle, 
I fired a second time, though at another of the herd, 
