314 Of the Origin and Natural History of the Ox,$c. 



under equatorial regions, we find cattle of all sizes, and are 

 thus led to infer, that it is the increased abundance of food, 

 rather than any amelioration, or other change of climate, which 

 produces an increase in their dimensions. 



Tire size of the horns does not, in any way, indicate the di- 

 mensions of the animal ; for some small breeds have large 

 horns, and some good sized ones, such as the Yorkshire polled 

 cattle, have no horns at all. The fact is, that, in cattle, the 

 horns continue to grow even after the animal has, in every 

 other respect, attained its full growth ; and, as there is a much 

 greater tendency in the fluids of one individual, than in those 

 of another, to produce that secretion which in its indurated 

 state is called horn, these external organs consequently bear 

 little or no relation to the size of the body. Were the size of 

 the arn^e, for instance, or great Indian buffalo, to be estimated 

 (on the principle of ex pede Herculetn), from the extent of its 

 horns, its dimensions would exceed those of the elephant. It 

 is, however, known not to surpass the height of five or six 

 feet, which is only equal to that of the large Hungarian oxen. 

 Although food and climate are very influential in regulating 

 the size and external aspect of cattle, they do not appear to 

 exert so powerful an influence as to change, or greatly modify, 

 substantially specific characters. The buffalo of Italy is cha- 

 racterized by the same hard black coat of thinly scattered hair 

 as it exhibits among the sultry islands of the Indian Archipe- 

 lago. The domestic oxen of European origin, Avhichhave be- 

 come wild or domesticated in the Llanos of the Caraccas, and 

 the Pampas of Buenos Ayres, though perhaps more uniformly 

 coloured, present no other distinction to those of Europe. 

 "Oxen," says Buffon, "like other domestic animals, differ in 

 colour, but red appears the most common colour, and the red- 

 der they are the more they are esteemed. Some prefer the 

 black ; while others assert that those of a bay colour last 

 longest ; that the brown are sooner fatigued, and shorter lived ; 

 that the .grey, brindled, and white, are not proper for farm 

 work, and are only fit to be fattened for slaughter." It is be- 

 lieved in France, that black cows give the best milk, and 

 white ones the greatest quantity. 



The sense of smell is acute in all animals. Their sense of 

 sight is somewhat peculiar in its nature. It cannot be said to 

 be very quick in regard to form, distance, or position; and yet 

 it is sometimes exquisitely affected by a peculiar colour, red 

 for example, which frequently renders these animals perfectly 

 furious. This effect is, however, in all probability, related to 

 some inward affection unconnected with an unusually vivid 

 perception in the bodily organ, just as, in certain individuals 

 of the human race, the influence of a musical ear gives rise to 

 ideas and associations in no way dependent upon a quicker 

 perception in the sense of hearing. 



