200 



THE ZEBU. 



chiefly in the stomach and gullet, which are formed so as to act as an 

 internal food-pouch, analogous in its use to the cheek-pouches of certain 

 monkeys and rodents, together with an arrangement for regurgitating 

 the food into the mouth at the will of the animal, previous to its masti- 

 cation and digestion. 



The domestic cattle of India are commonly known by the name of 

 Zkbu, and are conspicuous for the curious fatty hump which projects 

 from the withers. These animals are further remarkable for the 

 heavy dewlap which falls in thick folds from the throat, and which 

 gives to the forepart of the animal a very characteristic aspect. The 

 limbs are slender, and the back, after rising toward the haunches, 

 falls suddenly at the tail. 



The Zebu is a quiet and- intelligent animal, and is capable of being 

 trained in various modes for the service of mankind. It is a good 



draught animal, and is 

 harnessed either to car- 

 riages or to ploughs, 

 which it can draw with 

 great steadiness, though 

 with but little speed. 

 Sometimes it is used for 

 riding, and is possessed 

 of considerable en- 

 dunince, being capable 

 of carrying a rider for 

 fifteen hours a day, at 

 an average rate of five 

 or six miles per hour. 



The Zebu race has a 

 very wide range of lo- 

 cality, being found in India, China, Madagascar, and the eastern 

 coasr of Africa. It is believed, however, that its native land is 

 India, and that it must have been imported from thence into other 

 countries. 



There are various breeds of Zebu, some being about the size of our 

 orainary cattle, and others varying in dimensions from a large Ox to a 

 small Newfoundland dog. One of the most familiar of these varieties 

 is the well-known Brahmin Bull, so called because it is considered to 

 ht- sacred to Bramah. 



The more religious among the Hindoos— scrupulously observant of 

 the letter of a law which was intended to be universal in its applica- 

 tion, but to which they give only a partial interpretation — indulge this 

 itinmal in the most absurd manner. They place the sacred mark of 

 » iiva on its body, and permit it to wander about at its own sweet will, 



The Zebu {Bos Indicus). 



