Characters. Distinguished from the common ox by the presence of a
distinct hump on the withers, by the conformation of the skull, and the
curvature of the horns, by the large and drooping ears, the enormous
dewlap, and the grunting cry. The presence of a white ring round each
fetlock is also very characteristic of this ox. Moreover, humped cattle
seldom seek the shelter o f shade, and never stand knee-deep in water like
the domesticated European breeds.
Although m the Indian breeds the horns are in most cases of comparatively
small size, in the Galla breed o f Africa they attain enormous
proportions. Nothing is known as to the ancestry or original habitat of
humped cattle. Mr. Blyth was, indeed, o f opinion that they originally
came from Africa, but there is nothing definite in favour o f such a view.
Distribution. Known only in the domesticated state from India, Burma,
China, Siam, Africa, and Madagascar. Properly speaking, therefore, the
species does not come within the scope of the present volume, but since it
is important that its right to distinction should be recognised, it has been
thought better to give the above brief notice. It may be added that the
dngin of the name zebu is-quite unknown, it being ifereign to all the
native languages of India.
4. T h e S iw a l ik O x—Bos a c u t ifr o n s [Extinct)
Bos acutifrons, Lydekker, Rec. Geol. Surv. India, vol. x. p. 30 (1877)3
Pat. Ind. (Mem. Geol. Surv. Ind.), ser. 10, vol. i. pp. n 2 and 173, pis. xii.
and xiii. (1878). ■ ”
Characters. A magnificent species differing from other members of the
present group by the convexity of the forehead, the shorter interval between
the bases of the horn-cores and the sockets of the eyes, the curvature and
pyriform section o f the enormous horn-cores, which are set closer together
on the forehead, and the form of the occiput.