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Buffalo (Name often applied to two)

a name often applied to two distinct bovine genera or sub-genera with the Cape buffalo; and the American buffalo, better named bison. The genus or sub-genus bubalus has the usual bovine characteristics, and, whatever be its exact limits in strict zoölogical classistrict zoological classification, remains, for practical purposes, practical purposes , a large, clumsy ox. The horns rise from the posterior side corners of the skull, are usually thickened out of proportion at the base, and irregularly ridged, though smooth toward the points; the forehead is short and arched; the covering of hair is comparatively sparse. The common or Asiatic buffalo (B. buffelus) has beautifully twisted horns, thick and broad at the base, rough on to the middle, somewhat triangular in section.

The horns lie back on the shoulders when the animal walks or runs, with its muzzle projecting characteristically forward. The hair is short and scanty , almost bristly, slightly longer on head, shoulders and front of neck, and all but black in color. The bare, brown, polished hide is, however, the more striking feature. The animal measures about 7 feet in length, and stands about 4 feet high at the shoulder. It is a native of the East Indies, has been domesticated in India, and thence introduced into Egypt, Greece, Italy, Hungary, etc. The buffalo is a very powerful animal, much more powerful than the ox, and capable of dragging or carrying a far heavier load. The female yields a much greater quantity of milk than a cow, and of excellent quality. It, is from buffalo milk that the ghee or semi-fluid butter of India is made. The hide is greatly valued for its strength and durability, but the flesh is decidedly inferior to that of the ox. The Cape buffalo (bos caffer) is generally regarded as species.

The horns are very large; they spread horizontally over the top of the head, and are then bent down laterally, and turned upward at the point. The head is carried, as by the common buffalo, with projecting muzzle and reclining horns, but the bases of the horns nearly meet on the forehead, where they are from 8 to 10 inches broad. The a distinct BUFFALO BERRY length of a full-grown Cape buffalo is about 8 feet from the root of the horns to the tail, and the height is 5½ feet.

This animal is regarded as more formidable than any other in south Africa. The buffalo is still found in large herds in the marshy wooded regions of central and south Africa. It grazes chiefly in the evening, and lies in woods and thickets during the day. It will readily act on the aggressive, and has never been domesticated. The flesh, though coarse, is palatable. For the American buffalo, see BISON.

BUFFON chiefly applied to railroad carriages, there being two at each end.