288 



ZOOLOGY. 



421. The order ruminants is distinguished from all the 

 preceding groups by their complex stomachs. These animals 

 are essentially herbivorous ; they have no incisives in the 

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



Fig. 255. Skeleton of the White or Wild Ox of Scotland.* 



amongst this species especially that the forehead is armed with 

 horns. The ox, sheep (Fig. 263), goat, and stag (Fig. 264) 

 chiefly represent the class; but the antelope, giraffe (Fig. 

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



The genus ox differs from 

 other ruminants by the form 

 of the body and the direction 

 of the horns. 



The principal species are 

 the common ox ; the aurochs, 

 originally both European; the 

 buffalo, the yack, peculiar to 

 Asia ; the bison and the musk 

 ox, peculiar to Northern 

 America. 



The common ox, when 

 young, is called a calf, the 

 male a bull, the female a cow ; 

 its forehead is flat, longer than 



Fig. 256. Head of Young Scotch 

 Bull.f 



* From the drove belonging to the Duke of Hamilton. R. K. 

 t Head of the Ox called Urus Scoticus, or Wild Ox of Caledon, drawn 

 from a specimen of the breed preserved in the Forest of Cadzow, and belong- 

 ing to the Duke of Hamilton. They are of a dun white colour, with black 

 ears and hoofs. I ascertained many years ago that the purity of the breed 

 is preserved by destroying all calves which are differently coloured. R. K. 



