The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-08-12

how unlike are the horns. both In
form and color. to those of European
cattle. As regards the color Of the
coat, the Indian breeds are very gen.
orally either iron gray or some shade
Of pale fawn. becoming darker on the
hump. shoulders and neck; but others
are nearly white, while some bulls are
bay, or even black. In all but the
white breeds. light rings above the
fetlocks and light circles round the
eyes are very generally noticeable.
bumped cattle utter cry which is
more of a grunt than low; and they
differ markedly from European cattle
In that they seldom seek the protec-
ton of shade, and never stand sta
tionary for hours at a time in water.
Although bumped cattle have run
wild In some parts of India, where
they were at one time stated to be
SO wary that stalking them was
difficult matter. they are nowhere
found in q truly wild condition: and
In all works on natural history in
which they are referred to it is stated
that their origin is quite unknown. al
though 1t has been pointed out that
their original home was doubtless in
some portion of the tropical or SUBJ
tropical regions Of the old world.
By a well-known Indian naturalist, the
late Mr.. Edward Blyth, 1t was sug-
gested many years ago. that bumped
cattle originated in Africa: but since
he r~Ix, x..fl1 80
are buffaloes. this idea is highly i'm
probable. On the other hand. the late
Prof. L. Rutimeyer of Basic, who de.
voted many years to the study OF
ruminants. pointed out certain fea-
lures In which the horns and skulls of
bumped cattle approximate to those of
the bantin. or wild OK, OF the Malay
countries and Burma tBos sondaicus).
which Is near relative of the Indian
gaur. In this think he was on the
right track, for. in the first place, the
bantin Is characterized by the pres.
ence of distinct ridge on the withers,
ending somewhat abruptly about the
middle of the back. this ridge being
formed by the tall spines OF the verte-
might. 1t seems to me. be easily con.
verified into the hump OF the zebu as
the result of domestication. especial.
ly II the spines of the vertebrae in the
region of the withers were shortened.
Unfortunately. skeletons OF zebu and
bantin are not available for com.
parison.
There are numerous breeds and sub
breeds OF Indian bumped cattle, In all
of which the horns are comparative.
ly slender, although they may be of
considerable length. In the north.
west province Of India the most com.
mon representative of the species is
the Hissar breed. which is of very
large size. with big dropping ears. and
the horns black and curying outwards,
backwards and downwards, the bulls
being very generally of pale iron
gray. like many Of the cows. In most
OF the other breeds the ears do not
droop. and the bulls. at any rate. may
be black. Among these the Gujrat cat.
tie. of western India. are smaller than
the Hissar breed. and have the horns.
which are thick at the base. directed
upwards. outwards and forwards. In
old bulls the hump is very large, big.
ger. indeed. than In the Hissar breed.
In which II Is also well developed.
In the handsome Mysore cattle, OF
which there are numerous breeds and
sub-breeds, the horns have also an
upright direction. and In old bulls
often show double twist, being di.
rected at first outwards, then forwards
and. finally. outwards or backwards,
although In other cases they may
curve forwards. In all cases the
hump is OF moderate size and non-
pendulous. In Mysore bumped cattle
are divided into two types. namely.
the inferior Nadudana. or village cat
tie. and the Doddadana. or high-class
cattle. The latter include the Amrat
Mahal. Hallikar. Chitraldrag, Alum
badi and other well-known breeds, all
Of which are specially adapted for
fast roadwork. a. they are quick. very
high-spirited and have extremely hard
feet. Another distinct type Ia formed
by the Ongole. or Nellore. cattle, OF
the east coast OF Madras. to the west
Of Masulipatam. These are very large
and handsome cattle. extremely docile
and suitable for heavy. steady draft.
In color they are black and white and
pure white. the latter hue being now
most esteemed. although formerly
black and white was preferred. except
in the bullOcks: the horns are small.
y
cattle. sufficiently characterized by
their diminutiye size. the adult bulls
often standing not more than three
feet 1t the shoulder.
n. IYDEkkER.