140 
Quadrupeds. 
is perfectly domestic, and very useful for many purposes, 
being an animal of patience and great strength. \\ hen 
employed in the labours of agriculture, he has a brass ring 
put through his nose, by which means he is led at pleasure. 
Buffaloes are common in the Pontine Marshes near Rome, 
where they were brought from India in the sixth century. 
In India they constitute the riches and food of the poor, 
who employ them in their fields, and make butter and 
cheese from their milk. They are much valued for their 
hides ; of which, in several countries, and especially in 
England, military belts, boots, and other implements of 
war are made. There are various species of Buffaloes, 
of which the Cape Buffalo, from South Africa, is the best 
known, and most valuable. 
Buffaloes, in their native country, fight so fiercely with 
each other, that African travellers have remarked that 
they are seldom found without torn ears, and scars of 
various kinds on the neck and body. And they are no 
less treacherous than ferocious, lurking among the trees 
in concealment until some unfortunate passenger passes. 
The animal will then suddenly rush upon him, and there 
is little chance of the victim escaping unless a tree be at 
hand. The furious beast, not contented with throwing 
him down and killing him, stands over him for a long 
time, trampling on and tearing the body to pieces ; he 
then strips off the skin with his rough and prickly tongue. 
Even after all this he repeatedly returns to the body to 
gratify afresh his savage disposition. 
