THE OX. 105 



morning to night, while every now and then the plough- 

 man, as he directs the movement of the team, puts in 

 his lower notes, but in perfect concord. When the tra- 

 veller stops in one of the Devonshire valleys, and hears 

 this simple music from the drivers of the ploughs on the 

 slope of the hill on either side, he experiences a pleasure 

 which this operation of husbandry could scarcely be sup- 

 posed to be capable of aiFording. This chanting is said 

 to animate the oxen somewhat in the same way as the 

 musical bells which are so prevalent in the same county. 

 Certainly, the oxen move along with an agility that 

 could scarcely be expected from cattle ; and the team 

 may be watched a long while without one harsh word 

 being heard, or the goad or the whip applied. The op- 

 ponents of ox-husbandry should visit the valleys of 

 North or South Devon, to see what this animal is capa- 

 ble of performing, and how he performs it." 



In South Africa the ox displays no common intelli- 

 gence. The Hottentot and the Caffre well know his 

 sagacity. While the sheep enjoy their pastures, he 

 stands and gazes behind them ; yet, attentive to the 

 looks of his master, he flies round the field to keep those 

 who are straying within proper limits. Nor is this all ; 

 he shows no mercy to the plunderers of the flock, and is 

 even made to combat with the enemies of the people. 



