ANIMALS OP NORTH AMERICA. 81 



The first stomach, in which the food is received, is very- 

 large when compared with the others. This is a kind of 

 storehouse or receptacle where the food by warmth and 

 moisture is prepared for the second chewing. When this 

 sack or pouch is well filled, the animal generally retires 

 to a shady place and lies down, when the process of rumi- 

 nating begins. The alternate motion of the cud, as it pasess 

 up and down, is quite apparent in many ruminants. 



To this order man is most indebted, his food being obtained 

 from their flesh, and their hides, horns, bones, hair, milk, and 

 even blood being hourly in demand : yielding valuable service 

 as beasts of burden ; feeding on the verdure of the land, 

 which by converting into their own flesh they prepare for the 

 use of man, nine-tenths of whom never think of looking on 

 them with an eye of admiration or wonder, or of enquiring into 

 the habits or the formation of this useful family of animals. 



The general structure of this order is strikingly well 

 adapted to their habits and wants. In general, their legs 

 are long in proportion to the length of their bodies, and 

 their backbone is not only of great length but highly flexible, 

 both of which are conditions favorable to great activity and 

 freedom of motion. Their ears are generally long and 

 movable in all directions, so that sounds may be caught 

 from whatever quarter they come. This is a provision of 

 great consequence, since, while feeding, their ears are turned 

 in a direction contrary to their sight, and hence they may be 

 warned of danger from before as well as behind. Their eyes 

 are situated at the sides of the head, and thus in addition to 

 the usual range of vision of other animals, they can see 

 behind as well as before them. It will be obvious that these 

 are designed and merciful provisions, since these animals 

 when pursued, can hear the direction of their followers, and 

 see them also without stopping, while effecting their escape 

 at full speed. 



Their means of defence are their horns and hoofs, ia 



