BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 27 



PECOR.A. 



Deer, Goats, Sheep, and Oxen. 



Pecora, or cattle, have their toes so enveloped in horn, 

 that their feet are capable only of serving them in pro- 

 gression; and occasionally as offensive weapons against 

 their foes. The two large hoofs are each of a triangular 

 shape: their outer surface, or that which extends round 

 the front of the toe, is hard, convex, and smooth ; whilst 

 the under surface is softer, and appears to be somewhat 

 tuberculated . Besides these there are two other hoofs, 

 which do not touch the ground when the animals walk, 

 but which, nevertheless, each envelope a toe that is perfect 

 in regard to the number of bones composing it. On each 

 of the feet there is likewise a small bone, the rudiment of a 

 thumb. 



As the Pecora subsist exclusively on vegetable food, 

 they have, on the upper surfaces of their grinding teeth, 

 round and callous eminences, peculiarly well adapted to 

 the mastication of herbs. In the lower jaw they have 

 eight front or cutting-teeth, and none in the upper jaw; 

 but the place of the upper teeth is admirably supplied by 

 a bony substance which there forms the gum. 



Many of the species are gregarious, or collect together 

 in immense herds. They are, in general, harmless and 

 inoffensive animals; but, when roused to fury, they have 

 strength enough to prove themselves formidable enemies. 

 Their chief weapons are their hoofs and horns. 



The stomach of the Pecora is generally divided into 

 four distinct cavities or bags: Deer, however, have but 

 three. The food passes immediately from the mouth into 



the 



