223 RUMINANTIA. 



is said of the Durham breed? What other breeds are mentioned? By 

 what means has the breed of cattle been improved? How is the Zebu dis 

 tinguished ? How extensively does it supply the place of the ox ? What 

 uses are made of it? How is it regarded by the Hindoos? What is said 

 of the Egyptian species ? How many species of Bison are there ? Where 

 is the European species now found ? What has probably prevented its en 

 tire extinction ? In what part of North America is the other species found? 

 What is the main difference between the European and the American 

 species ? How many ribs has the common ox ? Give the distinctive marks 

 of the Bison? Describe its disposition and habits. What enemies does it 

 most dread ? How do the Indians avail themselves of the habits of this 

 animal ? What is said of the largeness of the herds ? Mention the uses 

 made of the different parts of the Bison. How many Indians does Catlin 

 estimate are daily supported by its flesh ? How does the Asiatic Buffalo 

 differ from the Bison ? How many varieties of this species ? What is said 

 of them ? In what countries is the animal used ? Where is it especially 

 useful ? What is said of the Gour ? How does it differ from the Buffalo*? 

 Give the derivation of the term Pocphagus ? How many species of the 

 Yak ? What renders the specific name appropriate ? What use is made of 

 its tail? What of its hair ? How many varieties of this animal ? Why is 

 the generic Ovibos applied to the Musk Ox ? What is the composition of 

 that term ? What characteristics are given ? Where is the home of this 

 animal ? What more is said of it ? 



Name the genera and species of the Ox Family found upon the chart, 

 tracing and giving some account of each as you proceed. 



SECTION XXVIII. 



Ovidae. (Lat. ovis, a sheep.) The SHEEP. 



These differ so slightly from the Goat in anatomical struct 

 ure that both genera are by some naturalists united. 



The chief distinctive characters consist &quot;in the sheep having 

 no beard ; in the horns being directed backwards, and then in- 

 clining spirally more or less forwards ; in having a convex fore 

 head ; and in the existence of a sac, or fossa, situated at the 

 base of the toes, lined with hair, and furnished with sebaceous 

 follicles.&quot; The males also differ from the goat in being inodo 

 rous. The age of sheep is reckoned from the first shearing. 

 Their value, both for food and clothing, is well known, and is in- 

 calculably great, while they are reared upon soils where other 

 animals could not obtain sufficient for their support. The fila 

 ments of wool taken from a healthy sheep, present a polished, 

 glittering appearance; those of a sickly, or half-starved animal, 

 exhibit a paler hue. The dressed skin is largely used for the 

 binding of books, and for different kinds of apparel. The bones, 

 when calcined, are employed as tests in refining processes ; from 

 the entrails are prepared strings for musical instruments. Sheep 

 furnish milk which is thicker than that of cows, and yields a 



