170 NATURAL HISTORY. 



full growth. The length of their lives is also, like 

 that of the greatest part of the other species of ani- 

 mals, about fourteen years, and they seldom live above 

 fifteen. 



The dullest and most idle animals are not those 

 which sleep the soundest, or the longest. The ox 

 sleeps, but his sleep is short, and not very sound; for 

 he awakes at the least noise. He usually lies on his 

 left side, and that kidney is always larger and fatter 

 than the kidney on the right side. 



Oxen, like other domestic animals, differ in colour; 

 but at the same time red appears to be the most com- 

 mon, and the redder they are, the more they are 

 esteemed. It is said, that Oxen of a bay colour last 

 longest ; that those of a brown colour are sooner fa- 

 tigued, and shorter lived ; that the grey, brindled, 

 and white are not proper for work, and only fit to be 

 fatted for slaughter. But whatever colour the coat of 

 the ox is of, it should be shining, thick, and suf't to 

 the touch ; for if it is rough and uneven, we have rea- 

 son to think that the animal is not well, or at least, 

 that he is not of a slrong constitution. 



The ox should only be worked from three years old 

 to ten ; and it is proper then to take him from the 

 plough, in order to fatten and sell him, as the flesh 

 will be better than if he be kept longer. The age of 

 this animal is known by his teeth and horns. The 

 first front teeth fall out when he is ten months old. 

 and are replaced by others which are larger and not 

 so white. At sixteen months those on each side of 

 the middle teeth drop out, and are replaced by others ; 

 and at three years old all the the incisive teeth are re- 

 newed. They are then all long, white, and even j and, 

 in proportion as the ox advances in years, they decay, 



