164 THE OX TRIBE. 



SOME ACCOUNT OF THE ALPINE COWHERDS, 



WITH A NOTICE OF THE CELEBRATED SWISS AIR 



The Ranz des V aches. 



In the Alps, fine cattle are the pride of their keeper, 

 who, not being satisfied with their natural beauty, also 

 gratifies his vanity by adorning his best cows with large 

 bells, suspended from broad thongs. Every Senn, or great 

 cow-keeper, has a harmonious set of bells, of at least two 

 or three, chiming in accordance with the famous Ranz 

 des Vaches. The finest black cow is adorned with the 

 largest bell, and those next in appearance wear the two 

 smaller ones. 



It is only on particular occasions that these ornaments 

 are worn, namely, in spring, when they are driven to the 

 Alps, or removed from one pasture to another ; or in their 

 autumnal descents, when they travel to the different 

 farmers for the winter. On such days the Senn, even in 

 the depth of winter, appears dressed in a fine white shirt, 

 with the sleeves rolled above the elbows ; neatly em- 

 broidered red braces suspend his yellow linen trowsers, 

 which reach down to the shoes ; he wears a small leather 

 cap on his head, and a new and skilfully carved wooden 

 milk-bowl hangs across his left shoulder. Thus arrayed, 

 the Senn proceeds, singing the Ranz des Vaches, followed 

 by three or four fine goats ; next comes the finest cow, 

 adorned with the great bell ; then the other two with the 

 smaller bells ; and these are succeeded by the rest of the 

 cattle, walking one after another, and having in their 

 rear the bull, with a one-legged milking-stool on his 

 horns ; the procession is closed by a traineau, or sledge, 

 bearing the dairy implements. 



