CLASS MAMMALIA. 



241 



unity of a genus. It is an indiscriminate feeder, thriv- 

 ing upon many plants that are poisonous to other rumi- 

 nants, and thus serves in the great creative scheme to 

 diminish weeds that would become excessive in grazing 

 districts.* It is the 

 cow of the European 

 peasantry, a pair 

 often yielding half 

 the support of a fam- 



FIG. 420. 



O'nbos 



Musk Ox. (,,',.) 



The Goat inhabits 

 the lower stage of 

 mountain slopes, the 

 Chamois, the middle, 

 and the Ibex, the 

 highest.! 



The Husk Ox, so 

 called from the flavor of its flesh, inhabits Arctic North 

 Araerica.J It feeds on grass and lichens. The horns 

 widen at the base, so as entirely to cover the crown of 

 the head. 



ORDER CARNIVORA (kar niv'6 ra). 



To this order belong those animals which are flesh- 

 eaters. While some, like the Lion and Tiger, are strong, 

 agile, and with the special senses highly developed, others, 



* It prefers steep and solitary places, leaping singly, or even when two are 

 tied together, across frightful chasms, and always alighting in concert at the de- 

 sired spot. If two meet in a narrow path, one will lie down and the other walk 

 over its back. Cashmere shawls, kid gloves, morocco leather, goafs-hair wigs, and 

 rock venison, are luxuries derived from these humble but useful animals. 



+ The story of the Ibex throwing itself from lofty precipices and landing upon 

 its horns is considered a myth, though often reported by the earlier Naturalists. 



t The Esquimaux hunters will attack this irritable animal with only a knife, 

 and turning around qxiicker than it can wheel, stab it to death. 



