INTRODUCTION. 19 



If cattle are observed while they are grazing, it will be 

 seen that many a root mingles with the blades of grass ; 

 and these roots have sometimes no inconsiderable 

 quantity of earth about them. The beast, however, 

 seems not to regard this ; he eats on, dirt and all, until 

 his paunch is filled. 



It was designed that this earth should be gathered 

 and swallowed ; it was the meaning of this mechanism. 

 A portion of absorbent earth is found in every soil, 

 sufficient not only to prevent the evil that would result 

 from occasional decomposition, by neutralizing the acid 

 principle as rapidly as it is evolved; but, perhaps, by 

 its presence, preventing that decomposition from taking 

 place. Hence the eagerness with which stall-fed cattle, 

 who have not the opportunity of plucking up the roots 

 of grass, evince for mould. It is seldom that a cow 

 will pass a newly- raised mole hill without nuzzling into 

 it, and devouring a considerable portion of it. This is 

 particularly the case where there is any degree of in- 

 digestion." 



The general disposition of animals of this class, 

 when unmolested, is inoffensive and retiring; but 

 when excited and irritated, they are fierce and cou- 

 rageous, and extremely dangerous to encounter. It 

 is a remarkable circumstance in their history, that 

 they are generally provoked to attack at the sight of 

 red, or any very bright and glaring colour. 



