184 THE REASON WHY : 



One way a band select from forage drives 

 A herd of beeves, faire oxen and faire kine 

 From a fat meddow ground." MILTON. 



542. Jfliy do oxen use a peculiar licking motion with the 

 tongue, when gathering herbage ? 



Because their upper Up is not prehensible, like that of the 

 Ji.rse. They therefore use the tongue to gather in the grass, 

 which is afterwards divided by biting. 



513. Why is it customary to hang bells around the necks oj 

 cattle in Switzerland? 



Because, as they are allowed to roam among the acclivities and 

 windings of the mountains, the sound of the bells tends to keep 

 them together, and also to inform the vachers, or herdsmen, of their 

 whereabouts. The bolls vary in form and size, from a small 

 tinkling instrument to a large deep-toned bell, worn by the leader 

 of a herd. 



544. So accustomed and attached do the animals become to these bells, that the 

 deprivation of them is felt as a punishment. The cow, whose superior beauty, 

 sagacity, and good conduct, fit her to be the leader of the herd, is always on 

 gala-days distinguished by the largest and finest-toned bell, and the bravest 

 ornamental collar, and so down, through all the gradations of good, to the small 

 appendage that marks the indifferently good dr clever animal, and the total absence 

 of ornament and distinction which points out the self-willed or vicious. If any cow 

 has been guilty of straying, of unseemly behaviour, breach of discipline, or any 

 vicious trick, the displeasure of the vacher is not testified by blows, but by the tem- 

 porary deprivation of her bell ; and this seldom fails to reduce her to order and 

 prevent a repetition of the offence. It is only necessary to see the cow on a gala- 

 day, with her badge of distinction strapped round her neck, and then to see her 

 deprived of it, for some fault or other, to be convinced that this is true. She is 

 now gay, good-humoured, and frolicsome, and then, sulky and gloomy. 



A certain cow, that had long worn the bell of honoui round her neck, had but 

 recently given birth to a calf, and was considered too weak to bear the weight of the 

 large bell, or, indeed, of either one. Her master turned her out to go with the herd 

 to the upland pastures. This summer removal of quarters is always held as a 

 holiday. The peasants were dressed in their best clothes, the cows had on their 

 bells, and all went on gaily, except the poor matron who was deprived of hers 

 After proceeding a few paces, she began to show signs of great uneasiness ; this 

 increased. It was vainly attempted to coax her forward, and soon she lay down on 

 hor side, and would not move. In this dilemma one of the old vachers came up, 

 aad seeing how the case stood, coolly went to the house, and brought out the bell 

 and collar, which the animal no sooner felt about her neck than she rose, sb/ob 



