NATURAL HISTORY. 



" Some ruminating lie ; while others stand 

 Half in the flood, and, often bending, sip 

 The circling surface." THOMSON. 



domestic economy ; the horns are extensively used in manufacturing numerous 

 articles of utility, ornament, and amusement ; the ears and hoofs furnish the im- 

 portant article of glue ; the bones form a strong manure, or are carved into 

 various implements, and are thus an excellent substitute for ivory ; or they yield by 

 decomposition several essential articles in medicine, domestic economy, and the 

 arts ; the hair is used in mortar ; the hide is tanned into leather ; and, hi fact, there 

 is not a part of this most useful animal which does not, living or dead, contribute 

 to the advantage of mankind. 



540. Why does the sight of blood, or anything of a red colour, 

 excite and infuriate the ox tribe? 



Because red is the complementary colour of green ; and the eyes 

 of oxen being long fixed upon the green herbage while feeding, 

 when they espy anything red it impresses their sight with a 

 greatly- increased intensity. 



The same effect is doubtless produced upon all grazing 

 animals by a red colour ; but oxen, being more pugnacious 

 than others, show greater excitement, and often attack that 

 which surprises them. 



541. Why do oxen frequently stand in shallow waters in 

 hot weather? 



Because, having the power 

 of ruminating, they can 

 take in a store of food, 

 and by retiring to shallow 

 waters, which generally lie 

 in shady places, they ob- 

 tain coolness, and escape to 

 a great extent the annoying 

 bites of insects, while they 

 contentedly chew the cud. 

 The water also softens and 

 cools their hoofs, and pre- 

 vents cracks and humours 

 to which they are liable in 

 hot weather. 



