AFRICAN SADDLE OXEN. 619 
Although the process of ruminating is mostly confined to the Ox and the other 
animals whose names have been already mentioned, it has, in more than one instance, 
been discovered in human beings. 
In many parts of the world, such as the Pampas of America and the Australian 
colonies, vast herds of cattle roam the country as freely as if they were the original 
inhabitants. Although they are all sprung from domesticated cattle which have been 
permitted to run wild, or have escaped from their owners, they havere turned to the 
habits as well as the conditions of savage life, and can only be brought temporarily 
within the subjection of man by actual force. However free and uncurbed they may be, 
they are all private property, and except when of very tender age, are all branded with 
the name of their owner, burnt deeply into the skin. In detaching the unmarked cattle 
from the remainder of the herd, and bringing them safely to the enclosure where they are 
to receive the distinguishing brand of their proprietor, the cattle-drivers exhibit an 
extraordinary mixture of excellent horsemanship, great dexterity, cool patience, and 
fearless daring. Yet the man is sure to triumph over the beast at last, however cunning 
or powerful it may be, and before the poor animal has quite recovered from his surprise 
at finding himself mastered for the first time in his life, he has been captured, tied, 
branded, and set free again. 
In Africa, the cattle are not only employed for the yoke, but are also educated for the 
saddle, and are taught to obey the bit as well as many horses. The bit is of very 
primitive form, being nothing more than a stick which is passed through the nostrils, and 
to which the reins are tied. One end of the stick is generally forked to prevent it from 
falling out of its place, and in guiding the animal, the rider is obliged to draw both reins 
to the right or left side, lest he should pull out the wooden bit. The saddle Oxen are not 
very swift steeds, their pace being about four or five miles an hour; and as their skin is so 
loosely placed on their bodies that the saddle sways at every step, their rider has no very 
agreeable seat. In training the Ox for the saddle, the teachers avail themselves of the 
aid of two trained Oxen, between whom the novice is tied, and who soon teach it the 
proper lesson of obedience. 
The horns of this variety of the Ox are of marvellous length, having been known to 
exceed thirteen feet in total leneth, and nearly nine feet from tip to tip. The circumference 
of these enormous horns was more than eighteen inches, measured at their bases. One 
such horn is capable of containing upwards of twenty imperial pints. These weapons 
are not only long, but are sharply pointed, and are of so formidable a nature that a lion 
has been kept at bay during a whole night, not daring to leap upon an animal so well 
defended. As these horns might prove dangerous to the rider in case of the animal 
suddenly jerking its head, or flinging him forward by a stumble, the natives are in the 
habit of training them in various fashionable modes, by which the danger is avoided. 
Sometimes the horns are split into numerous ribbons, and curled fantastically in various 
directions ; sometimes they are merely bent forwards and downwards; but the method 
most in vogue, is to cause them to swine loosely at each side of the head, their points 
towards the earth, and out of the way of the rider. 
It is a remarkable fact that this Ox is in the habit of chewing dry bones whenever it 
finds them lying on the ground. The caribou, or American reindeer, is known to gnaw 
the fallen antlers of its companions, and probably with the same object. 
Should the Ox turn out to be of a peculiarly savage disposition, he is soon conquered 
by having a heavy iron chain fastened round his neck. The continual weight which he 
is forced to carry whenever he moves, together with the jingling of the iron links, has 
such an effect upon his spirits, that he is forced to yield after a few days’ trial. It is said 
that if the Ox is forced into the long grass which grows so luxuriantly in Southern Africa, 
it becomes alarmed, because it feels itself unable to see an approaching enemy, and is 
even terrified at the proximity of its own companions. 
It is worthy of remark in the present place, that the skin of a white Ox is considered 
by the native tribes as an emblem of peace, and is analogous to the white bison hide 
which is displayed by the American Indians for similar purposes. 
The Ox is also employed for draught in Southern Africa, and is used chiefly for 
