RUMINATION. 511 



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 

 safe to the enclosure 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 may be, 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 of Africa 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 which the novice is tied, 

 and which 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 circumference 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 vari- 

 ous 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 downwards ; 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 conquered by 

 having a heavy iron chain fastened round his neck. The continual weight which he is forced 

 to 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 prox- 

 imity of its own companions. 



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



