INTRODUCTORY 5 



which are peculiarly fitted for traversing parched and arid deserts, 

 while in the Andes Ave find the Llamas serving the same office. 

 In Lapland and other parts of the northern regions the Reindeer is 

 the main agent employed in draught. Lastly, we must not omit 

 to mention the Indian Elephant, •which, from its vast strength, is so 

 useful in transport through the wilder parts of its native country. 



As regards food, we again find the Ungulates, and more 

 especially the Artiodactyle division, taking the foremost place ; and 

 in this connection Ave haA r e only to mention, among animals .kept 

 in a domestic condition, SAvine, Cattle, Sheep, and Goats — the three 

 latter affording not only their flesh, but also milk and its resulting 

 cheese and butter. To many races, however, Mares and Camels are 

 the chief milk producers, Avhile the Laps make use of the milk of 

 the Reindeer. The Rodents, as represented by Hares and Rabbits, 

 occupy a minor position as furnishers of food. 



In relation to clothing, the Ungulates are likeAvise of paramount 

 importance, as exemplified by the avooI of the Sheep, Avhich is so 

 valuable on account of its peculiar property of felting. Furs, 

 hoAvever, are mostly yielded by mammals of other orders, among 

 Avhich the Fur-seals are perhaps the most important at the present 

 day. Many other Carnivores yield valuable furs, among Avhich may 

 be mentioned Bears, Foxes, Racoons, Skunks, Minks, Otters, and 

 Ermines. Of less importance are certain Rodents, such as the 

 Squirrels, Rabbits, Hares, etc., Avhile the hair of the Beaver Avas 

 formerly much sought after for the manufacture of hats. Returning 

 to the Ungulates, Ave may notice the importance of horse-hair, the 

 employment of camel's hair for brushes, and the many uses of the 

 bristles of the pig. Some of the Monkeys yield fur Avhich has 

 been extensively used. Leather, again, is almost exclusively 

 supplied by mammals, and mainly by the Ungulates. 



Three other important products, namely horn, buck's -horn, and 

 ivory, are likeAvise obtained solely from the same great order. 

 Horn, as we shall notice in the sequel, is the sheath covering the 

 bony horn-cores of the Oxen, A\-hile buck's-horn is the commercial 

 term applied to the antlers of the Deer, which are largely used for 

 knife-handles and other purposes. True ivory is the product of 

 the tAvo species of Elephant ; but other kinds of ivory are obtained 

 from the teeth of the Sperm Whale and the tusks of the Walrus and 

 Hippopotamus, the latter kind having been extensiA^ely employed 

 some years ago for artificial teeth. For many purposes the place of 

 ivory is taken by bone, this being mostly obtained from Ungulates. 

 The bones of Camels are of an especially firm texture and good 

 colour, and are largely employed in India for inlaying. Other 

 important uses of bones are in the form of bone-dust as manure, 

 and also as a source of phosphoric acid. The horns of the African 

 Rhinoceros and the hide of the Hippopotamus are occasionally 



