18 THE OX AND THE DAIRY. 



pression. Homer has applied the epithet, " ox-eyed," to the 

 queen of the deities of classic mythology.* The eye of the 

 ox is full and prominent ; it is defended hy long-lashed lids, 

 and a membrana nictitans. The pupil is oblong, and the ta- 

 petum lucidum may be seen through it. The sight is diurnal 

 and acute : like the horse, however, the ox can discern objects 

 very tolerably during the dusk of evening, and even at night ; 

 but the latter is a season of repose, during which it chews the 

 cud at leisure. 



We know riot from what cause, but the bull, as is generally 

 admitted, is apt to become furious and excited at a display of 

 red or scarlet colours ; a cloak, or mantle, will often rouse his 

 anger. A red flag is used by the giostratori of the Roman 

 amphitheatre ; and the matadores of the Spanish arena 



" Shake the red cloak, and poise the ready brand." 



When the ox labours under inflammation of the brain and 

 its membranes (phrenitis), the sensibility of the retina is 

 morbidly increased ; and the sight of a red garment rouses 

 the animal to perfect madness. Many accidents have hap- 

 pened to persons, with red about their dress, while crossing 

 fields in which a bull was grazing at liberty. 



Hearing. This sense is acute in the ox ; the external ears 

 are more ample than those of the horse, and freely moveable. 

 In the polled breeds, the external ears are generally larger 

 than in the homed races ; but we do not know that the sense 

 is more refined. It does not appear that musical sounds 

 exert any decided influence on cattle. The sound of the 

 trumpet, the huntsman's halloo, and the cry of the pack, ex- 

 cite the horse ; the jingling bells of the wagoner's team are 

 believed to be agreeable to the animals ; and those also of the 

 caravans of mules which traverse the rugged mountains of 

 Spain. It is, indeed, the custom in Switzerland to hang bells 

 around the necks of the cattle, not, however, with the ob- 

 ject of pleasing their ears, but as a means of tracing them 

 when they have strayed among the hills ; the slightest tinkle 

 being heard, in those still and elevated regions, at a great 

 distance. 



Smell. The ox enjoys this sense in great perfection. The 

 nasal cavity is ample ; and there is a free communication 

 between the internal nares, which is not the case in the horse, 

 the septum making a complete division. The brain of the 



* BOUTTLS Tr6rvLa"Ep7]: Juno, bovinis oculis, veneranda. 



