EXTERNAL FORM. Cl 



The Ox possesses 7 cervical. 13 dorsal, 6 lumbar, and 5 

 sacral vertebrae united into one piece, with a varying number 

 of vertebrae of the tail. 



Proceeding at first horizontally from the spine, the ribs 

 bend downward somewhat vertically, so that the back is 

 broad. The ribs are very broad, and as they proceed back- 

 ward, each projects more outward than the anterior one, so 

 that at the abdomen the trunk is very large. As compared 

 with the horse, the scapula is less oblique, and, with the 

 humerus, forms a more upright shoulder ; the vertebrae of the 

 loins and back are of greater size, the transverse processes 

 are larger and stronger, the sternum is broader, presenting 

 a larger surface to support the more extended chest of the 

 animal, and for the attachment exteriorly of that mass, partly 

 muscular and partly cartilaginous, which is termed the 

 brisket, and which, in these animals, when largely fed, be- 

 comes sometimes of great dimensions, almost reaching to the 

 ground. The bones of the limbs are analogous to those of 

 the horse, but at the fetlock-joint divide into two sets, so that 

 in each limb there are two pastern, two coronet, and two 

 coffin bones. The hoofs are thus said to be cleft, and each, 

 division has its own defence of horn. 



The muscular system of the ox is very large, covering in 

 great mass the breast, the shoulder, the back, the haunch, 

 the sides. The blood-vessels are of great size, the quantity 

 of blood is large, and the circulation, as compared with many 

 other quadrupeds, slow. The integuments consist of a thick 

 skin covered with hair. 



As the natural conformation of the Ox differs greatly from 

 that of the Horse, so there is an equal divergence in those 

 characters of form, which we endeavour to communicate to 

 him for the purpose of suiting him to our purposes. In the 

 horse we require the exertion of physical force for the carry- 

 ing of loads, for the drawing of weights, or for rapid motion. 

 These purposes may be sought for in the ox intended for 

 labour ; but generally our purpose in rearing the ox is the 



