*J7> ZOOLOGY. 



horse abandoned by man; and although their introduction 

 into the New World is of no earlier a dale than three hun- 

 dred years, they are said to be found in troops mustering ten 

 thousand. 



The horse lives to about thirty years ; he ought not to be 

 employed for saddle or draught before four or five. When .-tired 

 he loses most of his valuable qualities; and hence the impor- 

 tance attached to the age. He is called aged when the little 

 cavities found in the incisives have disappeared by trituration : 

 this happens afc eight years ; after that he is said to have lost 

 the mark. 



The ass is recognised by its height, tufted tail, dark 

 cross on the shoulders, and long ears. More temperate and 

 patient than the horse, he is not so strong, but still very 

 useful as a beast of burthen. Comparatively he is both 

 stronger and more hardy. He is choice in the water he 



Fig. 212. The Bison. 



drinks, but in nothing else, and he sleeps less than the horse. 

 His stupid and obstinate nature seems mainly due to the bad 

 treatment he receives ; in the duration of life the a re- 

 sembles the horse. 



421. The order ruminants is distinguished from all the 

 preceding groups by their complex stomachs. These animals 

 are essentially heroivorous ; they have no incisives in the 

 upper jaw; in them the foot is divided or cloven, and it is 

 amongst this species especially, that the forehead is armed with 

 horns. The ox, sheep (Fig. 214), goat, and stag (Fig. 'Jl">). 

 ehietly represent the class; but the antelope, girali' 

 217), camel, lama, &c., are included in the group. 



