262 THE OX. 



seems to be a similar provision for the accumulation of nutri- 

 ent matter, and may be supposed to be connected with the 

 extraordinary patience under abstinence from food, which 

 distinguishes this child of the desert. The fatty hump of the 

 Ox of warmer countries, may thus be regarded as an adapta- 

 tion of the animal to the condition in which it is placed. 



Another provision for fitting the Ox of warmer countries 

 to the circumstances of his situation, is the possession of a 

 light, sinewy, and active form. The heavy Ox of the plains 

 of Holland and England, could not subsist in the arid climate, 

 and on the scanty herbage, of the African desert. Hence we 

 find the Oxen of Africa of less bulk of body, and more agile 

 in their motions, than those in the temperate countries of 

 abundant herbage. All over Africa, these animals are em- 

 ployed in laborious journeys, and for the bearing of heavy 

 loads. Their appearance and employment in these arid coun- 

 tries are thus described by a recent traveller : 



" The bullock is the bearer of all the grain and other 

 articles to and from the markets. A small saddle of plaited 

 rushes is laid upon him, when sacks made of goat-skins, and 

 filled with corn, are lashed on his broad and able back. A 

 leather thong is passed through the cartilage of his nose, 

 and serves as a bridle, while on the top of the load is mount- 

 ed the owner, his wife, or his slave. Sometimes the daughter 

 or the wife of a rich shouaa will be mounted on her particu- 

 lar bullock, and precede the loaded animals, extravagantly 

 adorned with amber, silver, rings, coral, and all sorts of 

 finery 3 her hair streaming with fat, a black ring of kohol, at 

 least an inch wide, round her eyes, and, I may say, arrayed 

 for conquest at the crowded market. Carpets or tobes are 

 then spread on her clumsy palfrey ; she sit&jambe de$d,jambe 

 deld, and, with considerable grace, guides her animal by the 

 nose. Notwithstanding the peaceableness of his nature, her 

 vanity still enables her to torture him into something like 

 caperings and curvettings."* 



* Travels in Africa, by Major Denham and Captain Clapperton. 



