Bison not Aurochs

Abstract

IN his excellent article on the extermination of the American bison, “R. L.” remarks (NATURE, p. 11) on the transatlantic practice of miscalling that animal a “buffalo”; but on the next page he writes of “its European congener the Lithuanian aurochs.” This is to perpetuate a common error at least as bad. The “aurochs” (= ox of yore), Latinized by Cæsar in the form urus, is or was the Bos primigenius or B. urus of scientific nomenclature. It is wholly by mistake that in its extinction as a wild animal its ancient name was transferred to the bison, or Zubr. I would invite “R. L.” to turn to the word “Bison” in Dr. Murray's “New English Dictionary,” where he will find a reference to an article “Wisunt” in Schade's “Altdeutsches Wörterbuch,” which ought to settle the question. I only wish one could ascertain to what animal the name “buffalo” strictly belongs. There unfortunately Dr. Murray does not help us.