the result would be a magnificent bovine monster, who would indeed stand
without a rival. But when first-class types of the two species are
placed side by side it seems to me that _Bison americanus_ will easily
rank his European rival.

The gaur has no long hair upon any part of his body or head. What little
hair he has is very short and thin, his hindquarters being almost naked.
I have seen hundreds of these animals at short range, and have killed
and skinned several very fine specimens, one of which stood 5 feet 10
inches in height at the shoulders. But, despite his larger bulk, his
appearance is not nearly so striking and impressive as that of the male
American bison. He seems like a huge ox running wild.

The magnificent dark brown frontlet and beard of the buffalo, the shaggy
coat of hair upon the neck, hump, and shoulders, terminating at the
knees in a thick mass of luxuriant black locks, to say nothing of the
dense coat of finer fur on the body and hindquarters, give to our
species not only an apparent height equal to that of the gaur, but a
grandeur and nobility of presence which are beyond all comparison
amongst ruminants.

The slightly larger bulk of the gaur is of little significance in a
comparison of the two species; for if size alone is to turn the scale,
we must admit that a 500-pound lioness, with no mane whatever, is a more
majestic looking animal than a 450-pound lion, with a mane which has
earned him his title of king of beasts.

2. _Change of form in captivity._--By a combination of unfortunate
circumstances, the American bison is destined to go down to posterity
shorn of the honor which is his due, and appreciated at only half his