[From the same]
Among the native animals are the urus, bison, or zorax, described by
Cesar, which we call a buffalo, much resembling a large bull, of a
great size, with a large head, thick, short, crooked horns, and
broader in his forepart than behind. Upon his shoulder is a large lump
of flesh, covered with a thick boss of long wool and curly hair, of a
dark brown color. They do not rise from the ground as our cattle, but
spring up at once upon their feet; are of a broad make, and clumsy
appearance, with short legs, but run fast, and turn not aside for any
thing when chased, except a standing tree. They weigh from 500 to 1000
weight, are excellent meat, supplying the inhabitants in many parts
with beef, and their hides make good leather. I have heard a hunter
assert, he saw above 1000 buffaloes at the Blue Licks at once; so
numerous were they before the first settlers had wantonly sported away
their lives. There still remains a great number in the exterior parts
of the settlement. They feed upon cane and grass, as other cattle, and
are innocent, harmless creatures.
There are still to be found many deer, elks, and bears, within the
settlement, and many more on the borders of it. There are also
panthers, wild cats, and wolves.
The waters have plenty of beavers, otters, minks, and muskrats: nor
are the animals common to other parts wanting, such as foxes, rabbits,
squirrels, racoons, ground-hogs, pole-cats, and opossums. Most of the
species of the domestic quadrupeds have been introduced since the
settlement, such as horses, cows, sheep, and hogs, which are
prodigiously multiplied, suffered to run in the woods without a
keeper, and only brought home when wanted.