THE WOOD BUFFALO.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXX, Issue 8578, 4 September 1888, Page 7

THE WOOD BUFFALO.

There still remain some of the wood buffalo. This is an animal larger than the American bison of the plains. They are larger,, coarser haired, and straighterhorned. I mention this peculiarity of difference in the horns because it is believed that the shape and the broken and crooked nature of the horns of the prairie buffalo have been caused by his habit of digging into the gravel, whereas, in the more northern species they had to contend with otherconditions, where straight horns would be of more use, as, for instance, they use them there for clearing aside from thebf pathway the brush and luxuriant undergrowth. These, animals would weigh at least 150 pounds more than the buffalo of the Saskatchewan Plains. In the northern regions the vetches and grassesare so high, and the snowfall not being unduly heavy, they have not had to paw and break the crusted snow, as was the habit of the buffalo, and that may account for their superior size. In the country where these are found horses cannot be used in pursuit, and they are stalked in the same manner that the moose and the other large animals are. It is difficult to form an accurate estimate of the number of these animals that may yet be left, but perhaps investigation may show that 500 or 600 may yet remain in scattered O wing_ to the ■ fact, that the horse cannot he used in pursuit, it is more difficult for the Indians to hunt them, and, indeed, to find them, than it was in the old days of hunting upon the plains.- So rank is the undergrowth of this rich country, and so difficult is it for the Indians to get at these animals, that perhaps just now any attempt on the part of the Government to afford protection to them would be useless. If, however, some regulation would prevent white sportsmen from deliberately coming into the country to hunt these animals for mere pleasure it might reault to advantage. At present it would be vexatious to the Indians, and of no great use, as the animal has become in its habits so much like the moose that he is able in a great measure to protect himself.