182 THE REASON WHY . 



While in this park I sing, the list'ning deer 

 Attend my passion, and forget to fear." WALLER. 



They are composed of folds of the skin, and are capable of being 

 opened or dosed at the pleasure of the animal. At the bottom 

 they are furnished with a gland, which secretes an oily viscous 

 substance, of the colour and consistence of the wax of the ears, 

 and which hardens and becomes black when exposed to the air. 

 Each sinus acts as an extra breathing place ; the moistened moving 

 edges of the sinus have been mistaken for tears. 



537. Why are the feet of the rein-deer deeply fissured, and liable 

 to open and close ? 



Because the deer browses upon 

 lichens or mosses which it finds on 

 the mountains of Lapland ; it has 

 occasionally to walk upon deep snows, 

 and at other times upon craggy 

 mountainous places. The spreading 

 foot is efficacious in preventing its sinking into the snow, while the 

 firm and pointed toes, when the foot is closed, serve to obtain 

 a firm footing upon the crags. 



538. Why is the ox one of the most valuable and useful 

 beasts to man ? 



Because it not only affords wholesome and agreeable food in 

 this country, but is also serviceable as a beast of burden and of 

 draught in many lands ; and in some is commonly employed 

 for riding. 



539. The readiness of acclimation which distinguishes the ox in every part of 

 Hie world, and in almost every range of temperature, is one of the most obvious 

 causes of its extensive distribution and usefulness. in the northern and frozen 

 parts of Europe, and under a tropical sun, the ox is found and cherished, and 

 is applied, in a greater or less degree, to the many purposes of utility. The 

 cow, uuring her life, provides us, in her copious and abundant supply of milk, 

 with one of the most nutritive and wholesomo aliments. Thus useful when living, 

 its death seems to render it even more extensively serviceable. The flesh, the 

 various portions of the stomach, and the viscera, constitute the most important 

 tu-ticles of food ; the intestines and the bladder are employed for different uses ia 



