THE COW. 201 



Such an eye should certainly indicate a philosophic mind, 

 and it is in this direction that we must regard it as probable 

 that the cow's ruminations are directed. We may credit 

 her with having arrived at a conclusion to her own satisfac- 

 tion as to the points that have engaged the attention of a 

 Darwin or a Spencer, but one can scarce conjecture that 

 the cerebral organisation of the cow was beforehand with 

 man in the discovery of the steam-engine or the electric 

 telegraph. The Arabs and the Orientals, with their deep 

 knowledge of the occult, were evidently impressed with the 

 idea that the cow's brain is so stored with knowledge that 

 it would be a danger to mankind were she able to put her 

 thoughts into words. This is shown by the fact that, while 

 in their legends the gift of speech is frequently bestowed on 

 horses, storks, and birds of many kinds, there is no instance 

 of a cow being so favoured. It may be said that the dog is 

 similarly omitted ; but the dog is an animal looked down 

 upon in the East. It is there never admitted to the in- 

 timacy of man, and, having been habitually repressed, has 

 not acquired the traits of character that distinguish it in 

 Western countries. But in whatever light the matter is 

 looked at, it cannot be doubted that it is unfortunate for 

 the world that so profound a thinker as the cow is unable 

 to communicate her conclusions to man. 



The cow, as distinct from the bull, is in its wild state a 

 timid animal, and it is somewhat singular that although she 

 has lost much of that timidity, she largely inspires the feel- 

 ing among the female sex. Next to the mouse, the ordinary 

 woman fears the cow. The dog, a really more alarming 

 animal, she is not afraid of; the horse inspires her with no 

 terror ; but the sight of two or three cows in a lane throws 



