RECORD: Darwin, C. R. [1840.01.01]. Abstract of Pallas, Description du Bufle à queue de cheval. CUL-DAR205.7.94-95. (Cite as: John van Wyhe ed., 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 3.2023. RN2
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR205.7 contains notes on hybridism, sterility and pigeons.
Darwin recorded reading this work in his 'Books to be read / Books Read' notebook. CUL-DAR119.-.
Act. A. St. Peters. 1777. P. 2d. p. 232. Pallas description de Bufle a queue de cheval
p. 234. Lumps of fat on Indian cattle, he considers analogous to those on kidneys of sheep &c. allude to "Brebis a bosse de Perse"
p. 239 certain that Bisons of N. America closely allied if not same with Urus of Europe — Kalm & Buffon say Bison have crossed with Europæan cattle — p. do— it is certain that common cow & Buffalo have crossed; in Brandenbourg on authority of Benekendorf — at Astracan on authority of Hablizt, where it recently happened. The mule died as calf, as is though at Astracan generally to be the case, & likewise the uros wh. Pallas says happens when greater bull & cows of same species are crossed. First instance in two species
p. 250
The horse-tail-Buffalos' lash tail when in passion — are easily put in one by bright colours of clothes — Gestures of sexual passion appear same as in common breed
Pallas considers only one wild ox in Europe
p. 251 The bulls of these buffaloes covered the common cows with no concepcion with whom they (a) readily mixed — but the common bulls did not return compliment—
In
[in margin:] very important if this be Yak, for this is very fertile in Himalaya
I see by Desmarest it is certainly same animal — Pennant gives reference to Marco Polo who speaks of the Hybrids see to this = Moorcroft always speaks of the Hybrids as produce of male yak & female cow — it is curious if this always so — ask Royle, Sykes = Lieut Wood
Pallas, Pyotr Simon. 1777. Description du Bufle à queue de cheval, précédée d'observations générales sur les espèces sauvages du gros bétail. Acta Academiae Scientiarum Imperialis Petropolitanae Pt 2: 232-57.
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 14 January, 2026