162 BdViD^. MAMMALIA. Bovid^. 
nized by its convex forehead, immense chest and dewlap, 
and more particularly by a remarkable hump on the 
shoulder, which, like the analogous formation seen in 
the dromedary, consists entirely of fat. Some kinds 
are provided with short, widely separated horns, but 
in certain varieties these appendages are entirely want- 
ing ; m others, again, and these are the most common, 
the horns attain considerable development. This spe- 
cies varies exceedingly both in respect of size, and 
in the colour of the hide ; generally speaking, the fur 
is greyish-white, and ash-coloured. The Zebu is not 
only found in India, but is also met with in Persia, 
Arabia, and even in Africa. It is in many places 
employed in harness to draw light vehicles, and also as 
an ordinary beast of burden for harder work. Its 
flesh, though far superior to that of the species last 
described, is not considered equal to that of the com- 
mon ox. The hump is regarded as a delicacy ; its 
choiceness depending apparently more on the manner 
in which it is served up, than upon any inherent virtue 
in the fatty mass itself. 
THE GYALL [Bos frontalis), or Jungle Ox, is about 
the size of a large bullock. Considerable difterence of 
opinion has all along existed respecting its origin. By 
some it has been regarded as a cross breed between 
the Indian buffalo and certain varieties of the zebu, 
and by others as altogether distinct. Be this as it 
may, it is a well-marked form, and is distinguished 
•nore especially by the horns, which are short and 
•hick, flattened from before backwards, and directed 
laterally with a slight inclination upwards. The 
iryall is found in the mountainous districts of north- 
eastern India, and, as a domestic race, appears to thrive 
most satisfactorily in the province of Chittagong. 
According to Mr. Lambert, the bull is naturally very 
bold, and will defend himself against any of the beasts 
of prey. “ The female differs little in appearance ; 
her horns are not quite so large, and her make is some- 
what more slender. She is very quiet, and is used for all 
the purposes of the dairy, as also for tilling the ground ; 
and is more tractable than the buffalo.” The fur ex- 
hibits a blackish-brown colour generally ; whilst the 
length of the body, from the tip ot the muzzle to the 
root of the tall, is upwards of nine feet. One variet}' 
of this species, termed the Asseel Gyaall, is regarded 
by some as the progenitor of the variety under con- 
sideration. It is provided with longer horns, which 
are strongly curved throughout, the space between 
the tips measuring about fourteen inches. Over the 
shoulders there is a considerable elevation ; but it does 
not acquire the significance assigned to it in the humped 
varieties of cattle. It is not at all ferocious, even in 
its wildest condition. It frequents the neighbourhood 
of forests, cropping shoots and leaves of shrubs in pre- 
ference to grass. 
THE GOUR {Bos Gaurus) is by some considered to 
be a distinct species. It is a bulky animal, measuring, 
according to Dr. Traill, very nearly twelve feet from 
tlie tip of the muzzle to the end of the tail. The Gour 
inhabits certain mountainous districts of Central India, 
being particularly abundant on the Mysa Pat mountain 
in the district of Sergojah. It occurs in herds of from 
twenty to thirty and upwards, which, like the gyalls. 
prefer to browse on leaves and tender shrubs — a marked 
peculiarity, which militates rather against the statement 
of Dr. Traill, that the habits of these two species are 
different, and, in our view, lessens the value of his 
persuasion, that these two animals are specifically dis- 
tinct. However, the Gour is an important kind of ox. 
It is a formidable opponent in combat, and is said to 
be more than a match for the tiger. According to Mr. 
Hodgson it is with great difficulty reared in a state of 
confinement. 
THE YAK [Bos poephagus) or Grunting Ox, is a 
native of Thibet, where it is found both in the tame 
and ■wild state, inhabiting “all the loftiest plateaus of 
high Asia between the Altai and the Himalaya, the 
Belur Tag, and the Peling mountains.” It is a com- 
paratively small species, and readily distinguished by 
its small mane on the back, and more especially by 
the tail, which is clothed wth long hair like that of 
a horse. This appendage, duly prepared and some- 
times dyed, is highly valued as an article of trade, 
and is sold to the Chinese, Turks, and other eastern 
nations, who employ it as an ornamental badge of dis- 
tinction usually attached to their caps or turbans. 
Several varieties ot the Yak are knowm, and employed 
for different purposes. Hofmeister, in his “ Travels 
in Ceylon,” speaks of the Yak oxen as very beautiful 
animals. Wliilst being ridden they were shy, restless, 
and apparently disposed to attack their riders. “ As 
the steepness increased,” he says, “ these poor animals 
began to moan, or rather grunt, in the most melancholy 
manner ; and this unearthly music gradually rose to 
such a violent rattle, that, driven rather by its irksome 
sound than by the discomfort of our saddleless seat, we 
dismounted at the end of the first half hour.” Tire 
fur of the Yak is usually black, the back and tail being 
sometimes quite white. Various cross breeds have 
been produced between this species and the com- 
mon ox. 
THE MUSK OX {Ovibos moschatus) is a native of the 
icy regions of North America, and is in those districts 
an exceedingly valuable animal, supplying the Esqui- 
maux with one of their principal sources of food. It 
is readily distinguished, not only by its moderate bulk, 
but also by its long-haired, rvoolly hide (fig. 57). The 
ears are short, and well-nigh concealed by the fur. The 
horns are remarkably broad at the base, where they 
closely approximate, separated by a hairy interspace 
in the female. They are curved obliquely downwards 
at first, suddenly bending upwards again towards the 
tips. The first half of the horn is rough and light- 
coloured ; but the remaining narrowed portion is 
smooth and black at the extremity. The forehead is 
convex, the face being prolonged forwards into a hairy 
muzzle. The long fur has a rich brown colour gene- 
rally, but is whitish on the limbs, where it is not so 
fully developed. The best account of the habits of 
this animal is that of Sir John Richardson, who wites 
as follows : — “ Notwithstanding the shortness of the 
legs of the Musk ox, it runs fast ; and it climbs hills 
and rocks with great ease. One pursued on the banks 
of the Copper-mine, scaled a lofty sand cliff, having so 
great a declivity that we were obliged to crawl on 
hands and knees to follow it. Its footmarks are very 
