38 A COUNTRY READER. 



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toe lengthened, hardened, and rounded,- hard, 

 all in one piece, and so just suited to galloping 

 at a great pace over dry and hard land. 



The foot of the cow, on the other hand, is 

 really formed from two toes, with a slit between 

 the toes. In consequence of this slit formation, 

 the cow has no difficulty in walking through 

 marshy land. But the foot of a horse will sink 

 into marshy land, and as it acts like a sucker it 

 can only be withdrawn with a great muscular 

 effort. 



As you know, on level, hard ground, a horse 

 can outpace a cow or bullock with the greatest 

 ease. But race a horse and a bullock over boggy 

 land, and the bullock will probably beat the 

 horse. 



Travellers tell us that, wherever wild cattle 

 are found, they will not of their own accord 

 wander far away from woods, and you must 

 have noticed how the cattle around you love to 

 stand knee-deep in water, and under the shade 

 of trees. 



You have read that a wild horse trusted to his 

 speed to escape his enemies ; but the wild cattle 

 trusted more to their horns and great strength 

 of neck to defend themselves against their foes. 

 It would take a very hungry,- very desperate 

 pack of wolves, or other beasts of prey, to attack 

 a herd of wild cattle, when at bay, with their 



