Pliny the Elder

Scythia produces but very few animals, in consequence of the scarcity of shrubs. Germany, which lies close adjoining it, has not many animals, though it has some very fine kinds of wild oxen: the bison, which has a mane, and the urus¹, possessed of remarkable strength and swiftness. To these, the vulgar, in their ignorance, have given the name of bubalus: whereas, that animal is really produced in Africa, and rather bears a resemblance to the calf and the stag.