DOMESTIC CATTLE. 133 



and some other European countries he holds his 

 own as a worker, and in the lazy East, where 

 the heavy draught- horse has never been made 

 use of, he is still employed to scratch the soil or 

 to tread out the corn. 



In Sussex and in parts of New England the 

 ancient form of yoke is still used, which fits on 

 to the nape of the necks of two bullocks. In 

 France and Germany the yoke is commonly fas- 

 tened to the horns and brow, so that the beasts 

 draw the load with their heads ; while the 

 Spaniards make a clever compromise by con- 

 necting a neck yoke to the forehead of the ox 

 with straps of leather. 



Certain humane people, both in England and 

 America, have thought this primitive kind of 

 harness barbarous, and have designed collars 

 and breast-straps for oxen. I shall show that 

 this well - meant attempt at improvement was 

 prompted by a misunderstanding of the history 

 and habits of the beasts which these good folk 

 thought to relieve. 



Now, what were the natural circumstances 

 of the wild cattle which eave rise to the strength 

 which men have found so serviceable ? Partly, 

 like the speed and endurance of the horse, it 



