Another monstrous breed, called niatas or natas, of which I saw two
small herds on the northern bank of the Plata, is so remarkable as
to deserve a fuller description. This breed bears the same relation
to other breeds, as bull or pug dogs do to other dogs, or as
improved pigs, according to H. von Nathusius, do to common
pigs.[64] Rütimeyer believes that these cattle belong to the
primigenius type.[65] The forehead is very short and broad, with
the nasal end of the skull, together with the whole plane of the
upper molar-teeth, curved upwards. The lower jaw projects beyond
the upper, and has a corresponding upward curvature. It is an
interesting fact that an almost similar confirmation characterizes,
as I am informed by Dr. Falconer, the extinct and gigantic
Sivatherium of India, and is not known in any other ruminant. The
upper lip is much drawn back, the nostrils are seated high up and
are widely open, the eyes project outwards, and the horns are
large. In walking the head is carried low, and the neck is short.
The hind legs appear to be longer, compared with the front legs,
than is usual. The exposed incisor teeth, the short head and
upturned nostrils, give these cattle the most ludicrous,
self-confident air of defiance. The skull which I presented to the
College of Surgeons has been thus described by Professor Owen:[66]
“It is remarkable from the stunted development of the nasals,
premaxillaries, and fore-part of the lower jaw, which is unusually
curved upwards to come into contact with the premaxillaries. The
nasal bones are about one-third the ordinary length, but retain
almost their normal breadth. The triangular vacuity is left between
them, the frontal and lachrymal, which latter bone articulates with
the premaxillary, and thus excludes the maxillary from any junction
with the nasal.” So that even the connexion of some of the bones is
changed. Other differences might be added: thus the plane of the
condyles is somewhat modified, and the terminal edge of the
premaxillaries forms an arch. In fact, on comparison with the skull
of a common ox, scarcely a single bone presents the same exact
shape, and the whole skull has a wonderfully different appearance.
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