BOOK VI. n. 4-6 



below the horns may not be injured. Then when you 

 have captured the steers, you should lead them to 

 the shed and attach them to the posts in such a way 

 that their ropes give very little play and that they 

 are a little distance apart from one another, so that 

 they may not hurt each other in their struggles. If 

 they are too savage, allow them a day and a night 

 to expend their fury, and as soon as the edge of their 

 anger is blunted, they should be driven forth early 

 in the morning, care being taken that several persons 

 follow them behind also and hold them back by their 

 tethers while one man, going in front of them with 

 a club of willow wood in his hand, from time to time 

 restrains their onrush with light blows. 



If, however, the cattle are placid and quiet, it will 5 

 be possible for you to drive them out even before the 

 evening of the day on which you have tied them up 

 and train them to walk for a thousand paces in an 

 orderly manner and without fear. When you have 

 conducted them home again, you should bind them 

 very closely to the posts, so that they cannot move 

 their heads. Then is the time to approach the oxen, 

 when they are tied, not from behind or from the side 

 but from straight in front, quietly and by using a 

 soothing tone of voice, in order that they may become 

 accustomed to see you approaching them, and next 

 rub their noses so that they may learn to know a man 

 by his odour. Soon after this it is also a good plan 6 

 both to stroke their hides all over and to sprinkle 

 them with unmixed wine, so that they may become 

 on more familiar terms with their oxherd ; it is well 

 also to put the hand on the belly and under the 

 thighs, so that they may not be alarmed if they are 

 touched in this way afterwards, and also so that 



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VOL. II. F 



