CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 9. RUMINANTIA 



503 



DRIVING WILD CATTLE OF THE MAEEMMA. 



heavy coverlet that completely enwraps him. These indefatigable walkers are no less excellent 

 riders : they possess a fine race of horses, which are employed for drawing lighter vehicles, while 

 the heavier wagons are drawn by the slow oxen. There are no high-roads in Moldavia ; the 

 plain is open, and each traveler chooses his own track, and it is often with difficulty that the 

 oxen can drag their way through heavy ground : storms of wind, rain, or snow make the matter 

 worse, so that a passage can only be achieved by great patience, labor, and resolution. 



OTHER VARIETIES OF CATTLE. 



Africa has several breeds of domestic cattle ; those of Senegal are not larger than a common 

 yearling calf; Abyssinia has a breed called Galla, the horns of which are very tall and lyre- 

 shaped. Animals of this breed are used at the Cape of Good Hope, and are called the Cape Ox. 

 When the Dutch took possession of the Cape of Good Hope and the adjacent country, about two 

 centuries ago, they found the Hottentots a pastoral people, and possessed of large flocks and herds. 

 The cattle are of the breed we have been describing. They are not only trained for draught and 

 riding, but certain tribes employ them in Avar. Kolben describes them as follows : " Every 

 array is provided with a large troop of these war-oxen, which are called Bake-leys ; they permit 

 themselves to be governed without trouble, and their leader lets them loose at the appointed 

 moment. The instant they are set free they throw themselves with impetuosity on the opposing 

 army ; they strike with their horns, they kick with their heels, they overthrow, they rip up and 

 trample beneath their feet, with frightful ferocity, all that oppose them ; they plunge with fury 

 into the midst of the ranks, and thus prepare for their masters an easy victory. The manner in 

 which these oxen are trained and disciplined certainly does great honor to the talent of these 

 people." Levaillant, who visited the country in 1791, confirms this statement. At the present 

 day the Hottentots are a mere fragment of the ancient tribe. 



The Caffers, Corannas, and other tribes, have oxen in abundance, which are employed as beasts 

 of burden. The Corannas are a nomadic race, frequently removing with their flocks and herds to 

 , fresh pasture land ; and transporting their mats, tents, and utensils strapped on the back of oxen, 

 which also carry themselves and their wives and children. . • 



"Fast by his wild resounding river 

 The listless Coran lingers ever ; 

 Still drives his heifers forth to feed, 

 Soothed by his gorrah's humming reed ; 



