BOS

(Lat. bos, an ox.) A genus of ruminating mammalj, which is one of the most important in relation to the nece ities and conveniences of man. To this genus belongs the domestic ox, in all its various breeds and varieties. With respect to the wild original of our numerous herds there is yet some obscurity; le , however, than hangs over the origin of other domesticated species. The wild caltle which approach nearest to the tame are those which inhabit the forests oft he north-east of Europe; and ihe white ".attle, which are still preserved in a slate of purity at Craven, at Chilling ham Park, and in Scotland. These are both referred to the species called Bos taurus. or Bos urus, or Urns Scoticus; but there is much reason for supposing this species to have been the domestic ox reverted to a slate of nature. Another well marked variety of this species is the Brabminy bull; characterised by the bump on the shoulders and the pendent dewlap. The other known wild species of ox are the Gayal of India (Bos gavaus); the Yak of the mountains of Central Asia (Bos grunniens); lastly, there are the Buffaloes, which, though anatomically le distinct than the Bisons from the typical Bores, yet differ from the oxen as a group in many points. They have larger horns, which sometimes form a horny covering of great thickne to the whole frontal region; and they approach the Pachyderm at a in the thickne of the skin and the thinly scattered coarse hair. They frequent marshy grounds, and (ced on a ranker and coarser herbage than the ox. The flesh of buffaloes is rank and coarse, and they are used chiefly as be draught or burden. The iwo best marked species are ihe Indian or Arnee buffalo (Bosarnee), and Ihe South African buffalo (Bos coffer). [s. 170]