THE OX. 575 



round liorns have, in many cases, wrinkles about the base. The coat is 

 usually short and smooth, but in some species forms a mane-like growth 

 on certain parts. 



Slow and awkward as the Bovince appear, they are capable of quick 

 movements. They are all good swimmers, and cross broad streams 

 without hesitation. Their strength is extraordinary, and their endurance 

 wonderful. Their sense of smell is good, so also is that of hearing; but 

 their powers of sight arc not highl}- developed. The wild species dis- 

 play more intelligence than the domesticated ones. In general, they 

 exhibit a gentle and confiding disposition toward all animals which do 

 not annoy or threaten them, but show the highest courage and fierce- 

 ness toward beasts of prey, and usually use their terrible horns so effect- 

 ively as to come off victorious. The sub-family BoviN.E contains six 

 genera, the first of which contains our domestic ox. 



THE ox. 



There has been considerable dispute concerning the origin of these 

 patient and useful creatures. Ratimeyer asserts that three different wild 

 stocks have given rise to the forty or fifty varieties of domestic oxen. 

 He supposes that the Broad-faced Ox is the progenitor of the Norwegian 

 Mountain-Ox ; the Long-faced Ox, of the cattle which existed in Switzer- 

 land during the Stone Age, and which the German naturalist believes 

 were introduced into Britain by the Romans ; while the Bos primigenius, 

 or Original Ox, has produced the cattle found on the continent of Europe. 



GENUS BOS. 



The Domestic Ox, Bos taunis, has been so modified in form, habits, 

 and dimensions by long intercourse with mankind, that it has developed 

 into many permanent varieties. We regard the genus as containing only 

 one species. We will begin our description with the European varieties, 

 from which our own domestic cattle are descended, and reserve an 

 account of the Domestic Ox of India for a subsequent chapter (Chap. 

 XXV), in which we speak of the Indian Wild Cattle of the genus Bibos. 



The variety which approaches most nearly to the original species is 

 still preserved in a half-wild state in some parts of England and Scotland. 

 The most celebrated herds are those of Lord Tankerville at Chillingham, 

 and of the Duke of Hamilton at Hamilton Palace. 



