CHAPTER XIV. 



FARM ANIMALS. 



E. A. TROWBRIDCK. 



Animal Husbandry, University of Missouri. 



I. Early History. 



The early history of domestic animals is as 

 much in obscurity as that of the human race. 

 Biblical references to some classes lead us to 

 believe that they were known at a very early 

 date. The findings of recent investigators 

 tend to prove the existence of prehistoric ani- 

 mals closely akin to some of our present 

 domestic animals, particularly the horse. These 

 prehistoric horses were very small and different 

 from the horse of to-day in having two or more 

 toes instead of the hoof, and their teeth were 

 much less developed. Their color was probably 

 more or less striped, resembling the zebra. 



Just when our domestic animals were brought 

 into close relation with mankind is uncertain, 

 but it is a certainty that it was at a very early 

 date. They were first used for food and their 

 hide for clothing. Later, the horse and ox 

 were used as beasts of burden, and the horse 

 was of great aid in warfare. 



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