*Bubalus*. See MAMMALIA.

a city and port of entry, capital of the county of Erie, in the state of New York, United States, North America, is situated on Buffalo Creek, which forms its harbour at the west extremity of Lake Erie, where it contracts to form the Niagara river. It was founded in 1801, but for some time made so little progress, that when burned by the British in 1814 it did not contain more than 200 houses. Its prosperity dates from the formation of the Erie canal, which establishes a navigable communication between the lake and the Hudson river. Since that period its growth has been so rapid, that in point of population it ranks as the fourth city in the state, and the twelfth in the union; and as a commercial city is surpassed by only three or four. The city is built on a gradual ascent, extending for two miles from the water to an extended plain, and from the higher parts affording fine views of the surrounding scenery. It has three public squares, and the streets are broad and regular, consisting of numerous elegant buildings and extensive warehouses. The public buildings are a courthouse, jail, two markets, the city offices, churches, banks, theatre, &c. Among the benevolent institutions are the orphan asylum, city hospital, hospital of the Sisters of Charity, female orphan asylum, and Association for the Relief of the Poor. There are numerous public schools open to all children, and many academies and private schools. The university of Buffalo was chartered in 1846, and has a medical school. The young men's association has a library of about 7000 volumes, a museum, and a reading-room amply supplied with periodicals and newspapers. The German young men's association is a similar institution, with a library of 2000 volumes. Buffalo has about 40 churches, 10 banks, 1 savings-bank, and, including agencies, upwards of 40 insurance companies.

The harbour is spacious and safe, and has for a mile from its entrance a depth of 13 or 14 feet of water. To obviate the bar at its mouth, a pier 1500 feet in length with a lighthouse at its extremity has been constructed, so that vessels drawing eight feet enter without difficulty. Farther improvements have been proposed. In 1852, 929 vessels of 135,866 tons burden entered, and 1066 vessels of 147,505 tons cleared out in the foreign trade; and 3738 vessels of 1,403,672 tons entered, and 3708 vessels of 1,405,203 tons cleared out in the coasting trade. The shipping belonging to the district at the end of that year was 59 steamers of 30,126 tons, and 134 sailing vessels of 26,397 tons. The Grand Erie canal was commenced in 1817 and completed in 1825. It is 363 miles long and 40 feet wide.

The city is divided into five wards, and is governed by a mayor and common council. Shipbuilding is extensively carried on. Extensive lines of railway connect Buffalo with the eastern and western states and Canada. Pop. (1810) 1508; (1820) 2095; (1830) 8653; (1840) 18,213; (1850) 42,260. Its present population (1854) is estimated at 70,000.