become lost in the adults of the larger kinds. It has been urged that the
anoa exhibits many traits of affinity with the antelopes; among these
being the comparatively straight form of the horns and the frequent
presence of the white spots on the sides of the head and sometimes on
other parts of the body. The animal is, however, evidently very closely
allied to the tamarau, and has probably become dwarfed by its island
habitat and the length of time during which it has been separated from its
kindred. So that although the anoa is probably to a certain extent a
primitive type, some of its generalised features may be due to degeneration.
With regard to the two spots frequently developed on the sides of the
lower jaw, the antelopes in which similar spots occur are the kudus [Strep-
siceros) and harnessed antelopes (Tragelaphus) ; but since these antelopes-
have cheek-teeth quite different in structure from those of the anoa, it
seems very doubtful i f th e. spots in the latter can be regarded as
indicative of affinity with antelopes. As mentioned above, the tamarau
frequently exhibits similar spots in front of the eyes. In the very general
loss of the first lower premolar tooth the anoa is decidedly more specialised
than other buffaloes. In the short and sparse hair of the adult, the broad
and naked moist muzzle, and the barrel-like form of the body, as well as
by its peculiarly bovine odour, its partiality for water and shade, and likewise
in its habit of drinking by long draughts instead of in short gulps, the
anoa is essentially a buffalo.
It was considered by the late Professor Riitimeyer that the anoa is- the
species which comes nearest to the under-mentioned extinct' Siwalik
bovines, but Dr. Heller has pointed out that it is really the tamarau which
makes the nearest approach in this respect, and he is of the same opinion
as myself in considering that many of the peculiarities of the Celebes animal
are due to degeneration.
The following dimensions: ® f anoa horns are given in Mr. Rowland
Ward’s Records o f Big Game :—
Length along
Outer Curve.
Basal
Circumference. Tip to Tip.
T5§ Is 7i
I 2 | 6 4
rI2ai 1 I - 53 l i
IO S i S i 9h 84 8i
8f 4fj 4-3
these the first and largest example is in the Paris M
the three following specimens are in the British Museum.
Distribution.—The island of Celebes. The sapi-utan (wood-ox)
, while
as the
anoa, in common with other members||f the ox-tribe, is called by the
Malays, is the most eastern representative of the Bovidce; and, as has been
pointed out in the Deer o f a ll Lands, its presence in Celebes affords one of
the strongest arguments, for regarding that'remarkable island as forming a
part of the Oriental region, instead of pertaining to the Australasian region.
Habits.—By reason of its shy and retiring habits,- very little is known in
regat d to the anoa in a wild state. It has, however, been ascertained that
it inhabits elevated woodland districts, where it goes about in pairs ; being
in the latter respect quite unlike the larger buffaloes. It always frequents
localities far from the haunts of men, and is partial to the neighbourhood
water. From captive individuals it has been ascertained that the period
of gestation is thirty we ekg The flesh, especially that /of calves, is tender
and well flavoured, and therefore much sought after. Its favourite pace is
a kind of trot, but it occasionally leaps in a clumsy sort of manner. In
captivity the bulls frequently display a pugnacious and spiteful disposition ;
and it was found necessary to put knobs on the horns of a bull kept at
Woburn Abbey.
The first specimen exhibited in captivity of which there is any record
was in the Viceregal Menagerie at Barrackpore, near Calcutta, where it
was described in 1 8 x 6 by General Hardwicke.