THE SHORT-HORN BULL. 



circle being shortened at every fresh start, until the angry, yet half-frightened, animals, 

 come so alarmingly close to the spectator, that he finds himself obliged to escape as he 

 best can. 



In performing these curious evolutions, they seem to be inspired by a mixture of 

 curiosity, timidity, and irritation, which may be observed even in ordinary domestic 

 cattle under similar circumstances. 



On one occasion, when a herd of cattle were pressing upon me in a most uncom- 

 fortable manner, I owed my escape to early instruction in the art of the " acrobat." 

 The herd, wholly composed of cows, was surrounding me with a very threatening as- 

 pect, and was advancing in such a manner that there was no mode of escape from their 

 ranks. Seeing that a bold stratagem was the only resource, I ran sharply forward, and 

 commenced rotating towards them in that peculiar method which is technically termed 



" turning a wheel," i. e. executing a series of somersaults on the hands and feet alter- 

 nately. The cows were so terrified at the unknown foe who was attacking them in so 

 extraordinary a manner, that they were panic-stricken, and galloped off at full speed, 

 leaving me an easy escape before they had recovered from their surprise. 



The domestic cow is too well known to need any detailed description of form and 

 color. Few persons, however, except those who have been personally conversant with 

 these animals, have any idea of their intelligent and affectionate natures. 



They are possessed of very susceptible feelings, and are remarkably sensitive to 

 insulting or disrespectful conduct on the part of their inferiors. In a herd of cows, the 

 senior animal is the leader in all things, and maintains a strict authority over her younger 

 companions. Not a single member of the herd dares to leave or to enter the pasture until 

 the leader has led the way, or even to take its food until she has decided whether she will 



