OF NATURAL HISTORY. 457 



or bunched oxen, which are taken when young and tamed; They 

 are foon taught to lubmit, without refiftance, to all kinds of domeftic 

 labour. They become fo tradable, that they are managed with as 

 much eafe as our horfes. The voice of their matter is alone fuffi- 

 cient to make them obey, and to dired their courfe". They are (hod, 

 curried, carrefTed, and fupplied abundantly with the heft food. "When 

 managed in this manner, thefe animals appear to be different crea- 

 tures from our oxen. The oxen of the Hottentots are favourite do- 

 meftics, companions in amufements, afliflants in all laborious.exercifes, 

 and participate the habitation, the bed, and the table of their matters. 

 As their nature is improved by the gentlenefs of their education, by 

 the kind treatment they receive, and the perpetual attention beftow- 

 ed on them, they acquire fenfibility and intelligence, and perform 

 adions which one would not expefl; from them. The Hottentots 

 train their oxen to war. In all their armies there are confiderable 

 troops of thefe oxen, which are eafily governed, and are let loofe 

 by the chief when a proper opportunity occurs. They inftantly dart 

 with impetuofity upon the enemy. They ftrike with their horns, 

 kick, overturn, and trample under their feet every thing that oppo- 

 fes their fury. They run ferocioufly into the ranks, which they foon ' 

 put into the utmoft diforder, and thus pave the way for an eafy vic- 

 tory to their matters *. Thefe oxen are likewife inftrufted to guard 

 the flocks, which they conducft with dexterity, and defend them 

 from the attacks of ftrangers, and of rapacious animals. They are 

 taught to diftinguifh friends from enemies, to underftand fignals, 

 and to obey the commands of their matter. When pafturing, at 

 the fmalleft fignal from the keeper, they bring back and colledl the 

 wandering animals. They attack all ttrangers with fury, which 

 renders them a great fecurity againft robbers. Thefe brackeleys, as 

 they are called, know every inhabitant of the kraal, and difcover 

 t 3 M the 



* Voyage de Cap, par Kolbe, torn. i. pag. i6o. 



