OX. AUROCH. 119 



8. The genus of the Ox, Bos, comprises those animals, the 

 horns of which are directed from the side, and turn upwards or 

 forwards in the form of a crescent; they are large animals with 

 a broad muzzle, short stature, and stout limbs, and are found on 

 both continents. They are also distinguished by a fold of skin that 

 hangs beneath the neck, which is called Dewlap. They delight 

 in humid and marshy situations. They are slower and heavier 

 than other Ruminants. The principal species are : the common 

 Ox, the Auroch, both originally of Europe, the Buffalo, the Yack, 

 which belong to Asia, the Bison and Musk Ox, which are indige- 

 nous to North America. 



9. The Common Ox, Ens 7'ot/n/s which when young, is 

 called a 6V///, is characterised by a flat forehead which is longer 

 than it is broad ; round horns placed at the two extremities of a 

 ridge which separates the forehead from the occiput, and four 

 mammae which are arranged in pairs The male is called a Ball 

 and the female a Cow. As powerful as he is docile, the Ox is of 

 great use in domestic economy He draws waggons, ploughs, &c. 



10. His flesh, which is very succulent, is eaten both fresh 

 and salted. By boiling, his skin forms glue ; by tanning, it is con- 

 verted into Li akn; which is chiefly manufactured into shoes ; 

 the hair enters into the composition of certain mortars ; the horns 

 are manufactured into toys, combs, and other utensils. His fat 

 is burned ; his blood makes good manure, and is used to manu- 

 facture a precious blue colour, known under the name of Prussian. 

 Jtiltie; it is also employed in refining sugars, and fish oils. The 

 membrane that covers the intestines, when dried, forms what is 

 called Gold-tH'atc.ii? s/tin^ and is used for covering balloons, for 

 beating gold into extremely thin leaves; and the milk of the cow 

 yields cream, cheese and butter. There are oxen in all parts of 

 the world, but they are originally from Europe and Asia 



1 1 The Jlni-octi, Bos Urns, is the largest quadruped proper 

 to Europe. It is distinguished from the domestic Ox, by its 

 arched" forehead, which is broader than it is high, by the horns 

 being attached below the occipital crest, by a sort of curly wool 

 that covers the head and neck of the male, forming a short beard 

 under the throat, and by an additional pair of ribs It is there- 

 fore plain, that it is wrong to suppose that the Aurochs form the 

 original stock of our horned cattle. 



8. What iirTmals belong to thi,- genus of the Ox ? What is the Dewlap ? 

 What are the principal t-pe< ies of this genus '? 



9. How is the common Ox charac erised ? 



10. To whiit purposes is the bo.Jy of the Ox applied? What is Prussian 

 blue made of ? What is Gold-beaters' skin ? What use is made of it ? 



11. What is the Auroch? 



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