George Vasey presents an exhaustive zoological study of the ox tribe, encompassing buffaloes, bisons, and oxen generally. The author begins by establishing the primary objective of providing a correct and comprehensive view of these ruminants, noting that existing classifications often fail due to insufficiently defined species and a lack of comparative data. To remedy this, the treatise brings together known facts, introduces osteological tables of vertebræ derived from actual skeletons, and compiles precise periods of gestation.
The work is divided into detailed chapters examining specific members of the genus. The American bison and the European aurochs are scrutinized for their physical characteristics, habits, and the dangers they present when wounded. Accounts of the yak, gayal, and various buffalo species of Italy, Manilla, and the Cape of Good Hope illustrate the vast diversity within the family. Particular attention is devoted to the complex digestive system of ruminants, specifically the four-chambered stomach, with extensive references to the physiological experiments conducted by French physiologist Monsieur Flourens.
Vasey addresses the utility of the ox tribe to mankind, examining how hides, horns, hair, and milk are utilized across different civilizations. The text includes historical and ethnographic accounts of Alpine cowherds, the significance of the Ranz des Vaches, and the sacred status of cattle in Hindu tradition. Detailed descriptions of the Chillingham white cattle and the unique characteristics of the Cape buffalo further enrich the zoological record.
The volume addresses the ongoing debate regarding species versus variety, utilizing anatomical evidence to challenge earlier, superficial classifications by naturalists such as Pennant and Buffon. Vasey highlights anatomical distinctions, such as the number of ribs and vertebral structures, to establish clearer boundaries between closely related forms. The text concludes with comprehensive appendices on the free martin, the short-nosed ox of the pampas, and synoptical tables of habitats and modes of life.
