586 Home Nature- Study Course. 



The food of cattle naturally is grass and herbage. Notice that their 

 teeth are so arranged that they pull grass off instead of biting it as does 

 the horse. Get the pupil to note the peculiar movement of the head of 

 the cow when she is grazing, and he will see that she seizes the grass 

 between her lower front teeth and the pad on the front of the upper jaw 

 and pulls it off. There should follow a little talk on the stomach of the 

 cow ; for picture and description see " Country Reader." Pupils from 

 the country are familiar with the process known as chewing the cud. 

 Get them to understand the advantage of this habit to the cow, as she 

 does the work of grazing during the cool of the morning and evening, 

 and is able to lie down in the shade or near some water course and chew 

 the food which she has gathered and digest at her leisure. Let them 

 observe at what time of day the cows do their grazing in hot weather. 

 If possible let them observe how the cow makes constant use of her 

 sense of smell both in sniffing food before she eats it and in sniffing 

 danger. Let them note that the eyes of the cow are large and beautiful ; 

 that the ears can be moved back and forth, so as to be ready to receive 

 sound in any direction ; note that when startled she faces the disturbance 

 with ears spread wide and with nose lifted, so as to get all the news 

 possible of the danger. Note that her horns are naturally strong and 

 sharp ; she not only gores her enemy, but will also toss him if she is 

 strong enough. Note that the heavy head and neck and short heavy 

 horns of the bull are not so much for defense against enemies, as for 

 fighting between rivals. Tell the pupils that almost any man or animal 

 attacking cattle is more afraid of the horns of the cow and the fierceness 

 of her attack than the attack of the bull. Note that the bull will also 

 stamp upon his enemy if possible ; note that all cattle are able to kick 

 very hard if attacked from behind. Have the pupils observe how cattle 

 attack dogs or guard against them when they pass through the pasture. 

 This is explained by the fact that the dog is a relative of the wolf, which 

 is the ancient enemy of cattle. Note that the foot of the cow is different 

 from that of the horse. She walks on two toe-nails instead of one : note 

 that there are two toes which are not now used, which are called " dew- 

 claws." This means that in ancient times the cow walked on more toes 

 than at present. Explain that the split hoof is a great advantage in the 

 wet and swampy margins of still-flowing streams, which characterize the 

 water courses of the great plains, and through which the cattle must 

 pass to drink. A horse would become mired in mud from which a cow 

 can easily extract her feet. Note the use of the tail to brush off flies : 

 explain that flies of different kinds, like the horn-flv and bot-fly and 

 others are among the greatest enemies of cattle. Note that the cow's 

 udder is larger than that of the horse or any other animal. This has to 



