INTEODUCTION. 57 



In a state of nature the ox is gregarious, tlie females 

 mucli predominating in numbers over tlie males. Inhabits 

 prairies and other wide expanses of pasture land, spends his 

 time partly in grazing and considerably in ruminating. 

 Migrates frequently to fresh pasture land or flies rapidly 

 with considerable energy from a foe. When attacked, 

 defends himself with his horns, and by trampling the foe 

 under foot, sometimes also by kicking. 



Under domestication these conditions are much modi- 

 fied. The range becomes limited to meadows and straw 

 yards, or to the extreme of stall life, thus the fat produc- 

 ing powers are increased, leading to either general fatness 

 for feeding purposes or to increase in lacteal secretion to 

 a most extraordinary degree. Warmth, such as results 

 from shelter and diminished supply of oxygen due to con- 

 finement, operate in the same direction, and tend to 

 diminish vital energy while encouraging fat production. 

 Limited range also lessens the activity and compactness 

 of the muscular system, the " wiry '' organism of the 

 wild animal becomes altered into the " soft '' state of the 

 domesticated. There is no necessity for frequent migra- 

 tion nor flight when they are protected by man, and the 

 prevention of combats between males tends to interfere 

 with the inherent energy of the race, and probably to 

 generate a more docile offspring. Increased supply of 

 more nutritious food, obtained without the necessity of 

 traversing large tracts of country, and without the dis- 

 turbing influence of constant dread, causes actual increase 

 in the size of the race. 



Artificial conditions to which the ox is subjected are 

 such as tend to diminish the circulatory, respiratory, and 

 cerebro-spinal sensory organs, to lessen acuteness of smell, 

 taste, sight, and probably hearing, and also the secretory 

 activity of the skin. On the contrary, the alimentary and 

 generative systems (with, as a result, the ganglionic 

 centres) are increased in activity in adaptation to our 

 requirements. 



In the working ox the conditions of life are not so 

 profoundly altered; he spends his days in the open air 



