301 
&... ox. 
fending themselves against the attacks of the wolves 
is admirable. When they scent the approach of a 
drove of those ravenous creatures, the herd throws 
itself into the form of a circle, having the weak- 
est in the middle, and the strongest ranged on 
the outside, thus presenting an impenetrable front 
of horns. When, however, they are taken by sur- 
prise, and have recourse to flight, numbers of 
those that are fattest and most weak infallibly 
perish. 
Attempts have been made to domesticate these 
animals, by catching the calves and herding them 
with the common kind, in hopes of improving the 
breed. This has not, however, been found to an- 
swer, for, when they grew up, they always became 
i'mpatietft of restraint, and, from their great 
strength, would break down the strongest inclo- 
sure, and entice the tame cattle to follow them. 
The uses of the bison are various. Powder- 
flasks are made of their horns. The skin forms an 
excellent buff leather, and, when dressed with the 
hair on, serves the Indians for clothes and shoes. 
The Europeans of Louisiana use them for blan- 
kets, and find them light, warm, and soft. The 
flesh is a considerable article of food, and the 
bunch on the shoulders is esteemed a great delicacy. 
The bulls, when fat, frequently yield each a hun- 
dred and fifty pounds weight of tallow, which 
forms a considerable article of commerce. The 
hair, or wool, is spun into gloves, stockings, and 
garters, that are very strong, and look as well as 
those made of the finest sheep's wool. 
The great Indian ox is another variety of this 
species. Its horns are short, and bend backwards, 
close to the neck ; its shoulders are loaded with 
a large lump, the flesh of which is very fat and 
delicious : its hair is of a reddish colour When 
the breed is crossed by intermixture with our 
