INTRODUCTORY 5 
which are peculiarly fitted for traversing parched and arid deserts, 
while in the Andes we find the Llamas serving the same office. 
In Lapland and other parts of the northern regions the Reindeer is 
the main agent employed in draught. Lastly, we must not omit 
to mention the Indian Elephant, which, from its vast strength, is so 
useful in transport through the wilder parts of its native country. 
As regards food, we again find the Ungulates, and more 
especially the Artiodactyle division, taking the foremost place; and 
in this connection we have only to mention, among animals kept 
in a domestic condition, Swine, Cattle, Sheep, and Goats—the three 
latter affording not only their flesh, but also milk and its resulting 
cheese and butter. To many races, however, Mares and Camels are 
the chief milk producers, while the Laps make use of the milk of 
the Reindeer. The Rodents, as represented by Hares and Rabbits, 
occupy a minor position as furnishers of food. 
In relation to clothing, the Ungulates are likewise of paramount 
importance, as exemplified by the wool of the Sheep, which is so 
valuable on account of its peculiar property of felting. Furs, 
however, are mostly yielded by mammals of other orders, among 
which the Fur-seals are perhaps the most important at the present 
day. Many other Carnivores yield valuable furs, among which may 
be mentioned Bears, Foxes, Racoons, Skunks, Minks, Otters, and 
Ermines. Of less importance are certain Rodents, such as the 
Squirrels, Rabbits, Hares, etc., while the hair of the Beaver was 
formerly much sought after for the manufacture of hats. Returning 
to the Ungulates, we may notice the importance of horse-hair, the 
employment of camel’s hair for brushes, and the many uses of the 
bristles of the pig. Some of the Monkeys yield fur which has 
been extensively used. Leather, again, is almost exclusively 
supplied by mammals, and mainly by the Ungulates. 
Three other important products, namely horn, buck’s-horn, and 
ivory, are likewise obtained solely from the same great order. 
Horn, as we shall notice in the sequel, is the sheath covering the 
bony horn-cores of the Oxen, while buck’s-horn is the commercial 
term applied to the antlers of the Deer, which are largely used for 
knife-handles and other purposes. True ivory is the product of 
the two species of Elephant; but other kinds of ivory are obtained 
from the teeth of the Sperm Whale and the tusks of the Walrus and 
Hippopotamus, the latter kind having been extensively employed 
some years ago for artificial teeth. For many purposes the place of 
ivory is taken by bone, this being mostly obtained from Ungulates. 
The bones of Camels are of an especially firm texture and good 
colour, and are largely employed in India for inlaying. Other 
important uses of bones are in the form of bone-dust as manure, 
and also as a source of phosphoric acid. The horns of the African 
Rhinoceros and the hide of the Hippopotamus are occasionally 
