AFRICAN SADDLE OXEN. 619 



Although the process of ruminating is mostly confined to the Ox and the other 

 animals whose names have been already mentioned, it has, in more than one instance, 

 been discovered in human beings. 



In many parts of the world, such as the Pampas of America and the Australian 

 colonies, vast herds of cattle roam the country as freely as if they were the original 

 inhabitants. Although they are all sprung from domesticated cattle which have been 

 permitted to run wild, or have escaped from their owners, they have returned to the 

 habits as well as the conditions of savage life, and can only be brought temporarily 

 within the subjection of man by actual force. However free and uncurbed they may be, 

 they are all private property, and, except when of very tender age, are all branded with 

 the name of their owner, burnt deeply into the skin. In detaching the unmarked cattle 

 from the remainder of the herd, and bringing them safely to the inclosure where they are 

 to receive the distinguishing brand of their proprietor, the cattle-drivers exhibit an 

 extraordinary mixture of excellent horsemanship, great dexterity, cool patience, and 

 fearless daring. Yet the man is sure to triumph over the beast at last, however cunning 

 or powerful it maybe, and before the poor animal has quite recovered from his surprise 

 at finding himself mastered for the first time in his life, he has been captured, tied, 

 branded, and set free again. 



In Africa, the cattle are not only employed for the yoke, but are also educated for the 

 saddle, and are taught to obey the bit as well as many horses. The bit is of very 

 primitive form, being nothing more than a stick which is passed through the nostrils, and 

 to which the reins are tied. One end of the stick is generally forked to prevent it from 

 falling out of its place, and in guiding the animal, the rider is obliged to draw both reins 

 to the right or left side, lest he should pull out the wooden bit. The saddle Oxen are 

 not very swift steeds, their pace being about four or five miles an hour ; and as their 

 skin is so loosely placed on their bodies that the saddle sways at every step, their rider 

 has no very agreeable seat. In training the Ox for the saddle, the teachers avail 

 themselves of the aid of two trained Oxen, between whom the novice is tied, and who 

 soon teach it the proper lesson of obedience. 



The horns of this variety of the Ox are of marvellous length, having been known to 

 exceed thirteen feet in total length, and nearly nine feet from tip to tip. The circum- 

 ference of these enormous horns was more than eighteen inches, measured at their 

 bases. One such horn is capable of containing upwards of twenty imperial pints. 

 These weapons are not only long, but are sharply pointed, and are of so formidable a 

 nature that a lion has been kept at bay during a whole night, not daring to leap upon 

 an animal so well defended. As these horns might prove dangerous to the rider in case 

 of the animal suddenly jerking its head, or flinging him forward by a stumble, the 

 natives are in the habit of training them in various fashionable modes, by which the 

 danger is avoided. Sometimes the horns are split into numerous ribbons, and curled 

 fantastically in various directions ; sometimes they are merely bent forwards and down- 

 wards ; but the method most in vogue, is to cause them to swing loosely at each side 

 of the head, their points towards the earth, and out of the way of the rider. 



It is a remarkable fact that this Ox is in the habit of chewing dry bones whenever 

 it finds them lying on the ground. The caribou, or American reindeer, is known to 

 gnaw the fallen antlers of its companions, and probably with the same object. 



Should the Ox turn out to be of a peculiarly savage disposition, he is soon con- 

 quered by having a heavy iron chain fastened round his neck. The continual weight 

 which he is forced carry whenever he moves, together with the jingling of the iron 

 links, has such an effect upon his spirits, that he is forced to yield after a few days' 

 trial. It is said that if the Ox is forced into the long grass which grows so 

 luxuriantly in Southern Africa, it becomes alarmed, because it feels itself unable 

 to see an approaching enemy, and is even terrified at the proximity of its own com- 

 panions. 



It is worthy of remark in the present place, that the skin of a white Ox is considered 

 by the native tribes as an emblem of peace, and is analogous to the white bison hide 

 which is displayed by the American Indians for similar purposes. 



The Ox is also employed for draught in Southern Africa, and is used chiefly for 



