'394 Origines ZoologicdS, 



drinking-cups called horns * ; and, when softened by steam or 

 warm water, they are drawn into thin plates for lanterns ; and, 

 when scraped and properly compounded, were formerly used, 

 like bezoar, as antidotes against poison, f The blood of oxen 

 is useful in the manufacture of sugar, is an excellent manure 

 for fruit trees [is an ingredient in the compost or soil used in 

 the cultivation of auriculas], and is the basis of Prussian blue. 

 The bones, besides being useful to mechanics where ivory 

 would be too expensive, produce, when crushed, an excellent 

 manure ; are essential in the formation of sal ammoniac and 

 phosphorus ; produce an oil, much used by coach and harness 

 makers, called neat's-foot oil ; and, when calcined, give a 

 valuable test to the smelter and refiner. The gall is service- 

 able to the chemist; the tallow contributes to give us light; 

 and, above all, this noble quadruped has become sacred, as 

 being the instrument of eradicating that loathsome disease 

 the small-pox. From the noble sirloin of beef, as being the 

 prince of joints, we say of a man who predominates over his 

 companions, that he rules the roast. The H bone of beef, 

 the derivation of which is not generally known, is a corruption 

 of isch bone, from ischium^ the hip or huckle-bone ; and is so 

 spelt, I believe, by the venerable Mrs. Glasse. 



It has been quaintly remarked, that most of our animals 

 serving for food preserve their ancient Saxon names while 

 living; but when they are dead and dressed their names 

 immediately become French. Thus it is ox, calf, sheep, deer, 

 pig, while alive; but beef, veal, mutton, venison, pork, when 

 served at table. This might arise from our neighbours 

 having introduced among us a more savoury and tasteful art 

 of cookery. 



[* A fair, for the sale of horn wares, called Horn Fair, is held annually 

 somewhere near to town.] 



[f The harvest-horn, formerly blown at early dawn in harvest time in 

 large farm establishments, and still in use in some, perhaps many, was, and 

 doubtless is, mostly, I believe, a bullock's horn. Gray has, in his " Elegy 

 written in a Country Churchyard," given record of this pleasing rural cus- 

 tom, and of some sweet associations of early morning which must ever 

 keep it company. 



" Beneath those rugged elms, that yew tree's shade. 

 Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap. 

 Each in his narrow cell for ever laid. 

 The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep. 



" The breezy call of incense-breathing morn. 



The swallow twittering from the straw-built shed, 

 The cock's shrill clarion, and the echoing horn. 

 No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed."] 



