96 COMMON BULL. 



them. They usually collect together in small flocks, on 

 the sunny sides of the hills. The females generally pro- 

 duce one or two] lambs each, about the month of March. 

 The flesh of these animals is much esteemed throughout 

 all the region in which they are found. 



They are larger than the common sheep. Their horns 

 also are large, arched semicircularly backwards, and 

 spreading at their tip, wrinkled on their upper surface, 

 and flatted beneath. On the neck there are two hairy 

 and pendant dewlaps. 



39. ox TRIBE. 



These animals are inhabitants of swamps and plains, 

 in different parts of the world ; and are found in various 

 climates, both hot and cold. In their general form they 

 are large and heavy. Several of the species are used as 

 beasts of draught and burden. 



Common Bull, and Cow. Next to the sheep these are 

 to be considered the most useful of all animals to man- 

 kind. Their flesh and milk afford us food of the most 

 valuable kind : the skins are formed into leather for 

 shoes, harness, saddles, and various other purposes : the 

 horns are manufactured into combs, and handles for 

 knives : the fat is made into candles : and the blood is 

 employed in the clarifying or refining of sugar. De- 

 prived of the aid of these valuable beasts, says the Compte 

 de Buff on, the poor and the rich would alike have great 

 difficulty to subsist. The earth, (in France,) would 

 remain uncultivated ; the fields, and even the gardens, 

 would be dry and sterile. It is on the ox that all the 

 work of the country falls. He is the most useful do- 

 mestic which the farmer possesses ; and he performs all 

 the labour of agriculture. In former ages he constituted 



