Buff

[Contracted from buffalo, or buffle.] Leather prepared from the skin of the buffalo, elk, ., by imbuing it with an aluminous compound, and afterwards some oily matter, such as yolk of egg; formerly much used for waist-belts and other military accoutrements.A military coat formerly worn by soldiers, made of buff or other strong leather; as, a trooper in buff and breastplate. "A wolf, nay worse, a fellow all in buff . " - Shaks. -A color somewhat between pink and primrose yellow; as, he wore a suit of buff . (In England, the costume of the Whig or Liberal party was, until comparatively a recent date, a blue coat, and buff vest, or waistcoat.) "It's gude to support Caledonia's cause, And bide by the buff and the blue." Burns. IMG:content-0799.png:[blocks in formation] though a true Bison. -1. The European Bison, called by naturalists Bos Bison, Bos Urus , or Bos Priscus called also Aurochs (Ger., wild ox)-is now chiefly found in the marshy forests of Poland, the Car path i an mountains, and Lithuania. It is as large as a bull, but looks much bigger, on account of its wealth of shaggy hair, and is ten times as formidable, because of its tremendous strength and intense ferocity. Its head is small; its horns short, sharp, and strong; and its eyes red and Fig . 442.-AMERICAN BISON, (BUFFALO.) ( Bos American us .) fiery. The color of its hide is rufous-brown.- The American bison ( Bos American us ), commonly called the American buffalo is larger than the European species, and, though usually shy and pacific when let alone, is fierce when provoked. The hair about its neck and shoulders is bushier, and of a fine texture. The hump, which is oblong, diminishes in height towards the tail, lending a considerable obliquity to the outline of the back. On the crown of the head the hair rises in an immense ma , and shows in thick, close curls before the horns; below the chin the hair grows like a beard, and falls as low as the knees. The Bison differs from all varieties of the common Ox, in the arched line of the back, which rises in a sudden elevation behind the neck; the hump, which is formed, not consisting, however, of mere fat, but in great part of the very thick and strong muscles which support the large head. Its horns are short, tapering, very distant, spreading, and a little curved inwards at the point. The figure of the forehead differs also from that of the Ox in its greater breadth, and in its convex profile. Another important anatomical difference is in the number of ribs, of which the Bison has 14 pair, while the Ox has only 13. Formerly immense herds of bisons roamed over the vast plains of the west, the prey of Indian hunters, and later the helple victims of the whites. As late as 1870 there were still millions of them, but after that time the value of their hides and the thirst for killing caused such a terrific onslaught upon them that by 1884 they were nearly exterminated, only a few scattered animals remaining. Such an example of mercile and usele slaughter has never been paralleled in the history of the world. There is now a herd of only a few hundreds in Yellow stone Park, but certain ranchmen of the northwest have engaged in the rearing of these animals. See SEC. II.-2. The Buffalo ( Bos bubal us ) differs from the bison in having no hump on the back, and only a small dewlap on the breast. Besides this it carries no shock of hair about its neck and shoulders. It is a native of the East Indies, from which it was carried to Egypt and the S. of Europe. They generally live in flocks of about a hundred, and affect marshy regions, both on account of the coarse but luxuriant vegetation there to be found, as well as the opportunity for a "mud" bath, of which the buffalo is remarkably fond. The way he indulges this ugly predilection is singular: throwing himself flat upon his side in the mire, he shuffles round and round, the soil yielding to his immense weight the exudation of any moisture it may contain, till he manufactures for himself a delicious basin of mortar covering him to his very eyes. When he emerges and has basked a while in the sun, he looks like some hideous slack-baked clay image. This manœuvre, however, is not without its purpose. Among the rank vegetation, and in the air, swarm millions of stinging flies, and until the buffalo's mud coat peels off through long wear, he is as impregnable to their attacks as the clay image he represents. The buffalo is one Fig . 443. BUFFALO, ( Bos bubal us .) among the very few animals who manifest no fear at the approach of the tiger; indeed, sportsmen concur that unle a tiger be full-grown and in po e ion of all his strength, he will not venture to attack the bull buffalo. Should the tiger, made desperate by hunger, attack a herd of buffaloes, his fate is certain. The whole herd will band against the common foe, and, a ailing him with hoofs and horns, rend his striped hide to gory ribands, and trample him maimed and crushed into the mire. The Cape Buffalo ( Bos Caffre ), found in large herds in the interior of S. Africa, is generally regarded as a different species. The horns are very large; they spread horizontally over the top of the head, and are then bent down laterally, and turned upwards at the point. This animal is regarded as more formidable than any other in S. Africa; and the hunter will more readily risk an encounter with a lion than offer any provocation to a B. without great advantages for the combat, or great facilities for escape. The hide is so thick and tough that the Caffres make shields of it, impenetrable to musket-shot; and the balls used by the huntsmen in shooting the animal are mixed with tin, and yet are often flattened by the resistance. Buffalo, in Ark . , a twp. of Marion co.-A P.O. of Washita co.-In Ill ., a twp. of Ogle co., 16 m. W.S.W. of Oregon City. A twp. of Rock Island co.-In Ind ., a vill. of Brown co., 50 m. S. of Indianapolis. A P.O. of White co.-In Iowa , a p.-vill. and twp. of Scott co., 50 m. E.S.E of Iowa City, on the Mi i ippi River.-In Kansas, a P.O. of Wilson co.-In Ky ., a P.O. of La Rue co.-In Minnesota, a p.-vill. and twp. of Wright co., 44 m. W.N.W. of St. Paul.-In Mi ouri , a p.-vill., cap. of Dallas co., 4 m. W. of Niangua River, 35 m. N. by E. of Springfield.-In N. C. , a vill. of Randolph co., 65 m. W. of Raleigh, on Deep River.-In Nebraska , a central county, bounded on the S. by Platte River, and drained by Loup Fork and other streams; area , abt. 2,000 sq.m.; surface, undulating; soil , various. A post-village of Dawson co., near Platte River, 40 m. W.N. W. of Omaha. Buffalo, in New York , a city, port of entry, and seat of justice of Erie co., at the E. extremity of Lake Erie, where it contracts into Niagara River, 22 m. S. of Niagara Falls, and 422 m. by rail N.W. of New York City. The town stands partly on a low marshy tract, intersected by Buffalo Creek, which forms its harbor, and partly on an elevated terrace, leading to a still higher plateau. The principal streets descend from the high ground over the terrace towards the creek and harbor, and are cro ed by the others generally at right angles. It is finely situated, well built and drained; the houses in the principal streets are lofty, substantial, and usually of brick or stone. B. po e es 600 acres in handsome public parks and drives. Conspicuous among its public buildings are the Insane Asylum, erected at a cost of $1,500,000, said to be the largest in the U. S., if not in the world; the State Arsenal, Custom House, New City Hall and Court House, completed in 1877 at a cost of $1,400,000; Penitentiary, Young Men's A ociation Hall, with a library of over 30,000 vols.; Academy of Natural Sciences, with a fine museum and library; the Academy of Fine Arts, the Historical Society, with a free library; the Grosvenor Free Library, besides several imposing banking and insurance edifices and private residences, that of Mr Fargo costing $500,000. B. has also 14 asylums for the widow, orphans, ., 5 hospitals, 5 dispensaries, and numerous other benevolent a ociations; over 20 cemeteries, Forest Lawn being conspicuous for its size and beauty, it adjoins the Park; 97 churches, St. Paul's (Epis.) costing $250,000, St. Joseph's (R. C.), each with fine chime of bells; the Delaware Avenue (Methodist), are among the most striking. The first church edifice erected in B. was in 1806, by the Methodists. The city has about 28 newspapers. B. is preëminent for its extensive manufacturing interests, and its importance as a great entrepôt of the Western trade, commanding, as it does, the navigation of the great upper lakes of this continent. Iron forms a leading feature of industry, and its blast furnaces, rolling-mills, foundries, and stove works, are among the largest in the U. S. Distilleries, malting breweries, and flour mills flourish here. But it is to its immense traffic in grain that B. owes much of its importance and wealth. Its creek is navigable for about eight miles, and admits ve els drawing 14 feet of water. A pier, extending 1,500 ft., with a light-house upon it, facilitates ingre and egre . Still, however, the harbor is not acce ible at all seasons, especially in the winter, on account of the accumulation of ice at the end of the lake. This ice, in spring, is pushed forward to B. by the S.W. winds, and causes a late opening of navigation. The enormous increase during the last few years in the receipts of grain at this port have originated the estab lishment of great elevators , for its reception and storage; these, some 43 in number, are conveniently located along both sides the creek, and have an aggregate саpacity for storage of about 14,000,000 bushels, and daily transfer capacity of over 4,000,000 bushels, unsurpa ed by any port in this or any other country. The largest of these affords storage room for 1,000,000 bushels of grain. B. was an inconsiderable place previously to 1812, in which year it was a military frontier station. Its destruction, in 1814, was effected by a party of British and Indians; but in 1817 it was resuscitated. In 1832, it was incorporated as a city, and divided into 5 wards (now 13 wards), with the municipal govt. vested in the Mayor and Common Council chosen annually by the citizens. The International Bridge, from B. to Fort Erie, Canada, 34 of a mile long, was completed in 1873, at a cost of $1,500,000. The city is supplied with water through a tunnel extending to the middle of Niagara river; average daily consumption of water, 196 gallons per capita. A fine series of parks are connected by boulevards which encircle the city. Pop . (1890) 255,664; 1897, abt. 325,000, Buffalo, in Ohio, a village of Noble co.-A twp. of Noble co. The American Dictionary and Cyclopedia Buffalo, in Pennsylvania, a post-township of Washington co., 30 m. S.W. of Pittsburg, on Buffalo Creek. Coal abounds. -A township of Union co. -A township of Butler co. -A township of Perry co. Buffalo, in Tenne ee, a village of Perry co., on Buffalo River, 100 m. S.W. of Nashville. Buffalo, in Texas, a post-village of Henderson co., on the Trinity River, 200 m. N.E. of Austin City. Buffalo, in W. Virginia, a thriving post-village and township of Putnam co., on the Great Kanawha River, 340 m. W. by N. of Richmond. Coal and iron-ore are largely found in the vicinity. Buffalo, in Wisconsin , a W. county, on the confines of Minnesota, with an area of 650 sq. m. It is watered by the Mi i ippi River (which bounds it on the N.W.), the Chippewa (on the W.), and the Eagle and Tranpealeau rivers. Surface. Diversified. Soil . Fertile. Cap . Alma. -A post-township of the above co., on the Mi i ippi, 5 m. below Fountain City. -A village of the above co., on the Mi i ippi, 8 m. from Alma. See BUFFALO CITY -A township of Marquette co. Buffalo Bayou, in Texas , flows E. through Harris co., and empties into Galveston Bay at Lynchburg. Steamers ascend as far up as Houston, 45 m. from its embouchure. Buffalo-berry, n . ( Bot . ) See STEP HERD I A. Buffalo-chips, n . pl . The sun-dried excrement of the buffalo, used as fuel on the American plains. Buffalo City, in Wisconsin, a post-village of Buffalo co., on the Mi i ippi River, 8 m. from Alma. Buffalo-clover, n. ( Bot . ) A name applied in the U. States to a species of Trifolium , common to the prairies where bisons (buffaloes) feed. Buffalo Creek, in Georgia, Glynn co., falls into the Oconee River, 12 m. S.W. of Sandersville. Buffalo Creek, in Iowa, Buchanan co., empties into the Waps in icon River, near Anamosa. Buffalo Creek, in Mi i ippi, pa es through Wilkinson co., and empties into the Mi i ippi. Buffalo Creek, in N. Carolina, falls into Rocky River, in Cabarrus co., 12 m. N. of Concord. Buffalo Creek, in New York, Erie co., formed by Buffalo Shoals, in Virginia , a post-office of Wayne co. Buffaloville, in Indiana , a post-office of Spencer co. Buff-coat, n. A military outer garment worn in the 17th century as a defensive covering. It was made of a thick and elastic material, as the buffalo-skin, had no sleeves, and was laced tightly over the chest.