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OF OXEN IN GENERAL. 



ALTHOUGH, in their native savannas or plains, the 

 greater part of these animals are exceedingly wild 

 and savage, yet there are few altogether incapable 

 of domestication; some are trained to labour, and 

 supply the place of horses, as beasts of draught 

 and burthen. The flesh and milk of every species 

 are considered as wholesome food; and the fat, 

 horns, bones, and hair, are all convertible to pur- 

 poses of utility. 



In a wild state, some of the species inhabit low 

 and rich pastures and plains; whilst others delight 

 in swamps and morassy grounds: and one, the 

 Musk Ox*, resides amongst the mountains and 

 rocks of North America, which it is able to ascend 

 with great agility. But most of the species, from 

 their large and unwieldy bodies, are ill adapted to 

 mountainous countries; though they are often- 

 times very swift of foot along the plains. 



In size and bulk they considerably exceed all the 

 British Quadrupeds, except the Horse ; and the 

 Arnee, which has been lately discovered to inhabit 



* Bos Moschatus of Linnaeus. 



the 



