THE ZEBU. 129 



pace is a sort of amble, the same as that of the larger 

 species. 



Zebus ( Far. y) and Car. 



The curious Hindoo customs in relation to this animal 

 have been recorded by almost every traveller. 



Neither the horse, the sheep, nor the goat, have any 

 peculiar sanctity annexed to them by the Braminical 

 superstition ; it is otherwise with the cow, which in India 

 is everywhere regarded with veneration, and is an object 

 of peculiar worship. Representations of objects are made 

 upon the walls with cow-dung, and these enter deeply into 

 their routine of daily observances. The same materials 

 are also dried, and used as fuel for dressing their victuals ; 

 for this purpose the women collect it, and bake it into 

 cakes, which are placed in a position where they soon 

 become dry and fit for use. The sacred character of the 

 cow probably gives this fuel a preference to every other in 

 the imagination of a Hindoo, for it is used in Calcutta, 

 where wood is in abundance. 



On certain occasions it is customary for the Hindoos to 

 consecrate a bull as an offering to their deities ; particular 



