SECRETARY'S REPORT. 297 



Flames burst from all the surroundinf^ clouds, peal follows 

 peal and torrents of hail descend upon the pastures. The 

 terrified animals bellow loud, and run with tails erect and eyes 

 shut, in the direction of the tempest. The herdsmen now start 

 up half naked, and throwing their milk pails over their heads, 

 hurry out to the scattered herd, shouting, coaxing, cursing and 

 calling on the Holy Virgin. By and by a part of the herd is 

 collected, the winds drive away the clouds, the hail turns into 

 heavy rain, the cows stand round the hut up to their knees in 

 mud and water, and the distant thunder reverberates at inter- 

 vals from rock to rock ; but, alas, one or two of the finest cows 

 lie palpitating and half crushed at the foot of some precipice. 



Instances of such calamities occur every season. On the 1st 

 of August, 1854, ten head of horned cattle, with the lad who 

 tended them, fell over the cliff in a storm and all were dashed to 

 pieces. This was in the Werdenberg Alp. 



If a storm is expected, the cowherds take care to collect the 

 cattle beforehand. They present a singular appearance when 

 drawn up in rank. The trembling animals stand in a body, 

 with staring eyes and downcast heads, while the herdsmen go 

 from one to the other encouraging and coaxing each. When 

 this is done, however violent the thunder and lightning may 

 be, and however heavy the hail may pour down upon them, not 

 a cow will stir from the spot. The poor, good-natured animals, 

 appear to feel safe from harm if they can only hear the voice 

 of the keeper. 



Another kind of disturbance sometimes takes place, the 

 nature of which is less known, and consequently more difficult 

 to explain. If, when a cow dies or is killed in the Alps, any 

 vestige of the body is left on the ground, the spot becomes the 

 centre of a general battle-field. A cow which may have been 

 grazing at some distance, is sure soon to find its way thither, 

 showing every sign of excitement, to run about the place, 

 scraping and lowing, and digging up the soil with its horns, as 

 if mad. This is the signal for a general gathering of the herd, 

 and a battle of horns begins, the violence and obstinacy of 

 which can hardly be imagined. In spite of the utmost exer- 

 tions, the fight terminates not unfrequently in the death or 

 serious injury of at least one or two of the number. Even if 

 the ofifal has been carefully removed or deeply buried, not one 



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