DOMESTIC CATTLE. 153 



every beast is "master" of the one on his 

 left ; otherwise pilfering and discord would occur 

 at every meal. It often takes the oxmen a 

 long time in discovering the particular rank 

 and precedence of any new beasts which have 

 been added to the teams ; but after watching 

 their behaviour when loose in the yard, and 

 thus ascertaining which bullocks give way to 

 the new-comers and which lord it over them, 

 they are at length apportioned their places in 

 the line. Curiously enough, an ox's preced- 

 ence does not depend upon his strength or 

 bulk, nor upon his courage — as we recognise 

 it — nor upon his steadfastness of character — 

 as revealed in his work. One frequently finds 

 some huge muscular beast occupying quite an 

 inferior position ; and an animal which shows 

 fearlessness and resentment when interfered 

 with by men will humbly "take the lowest 

 room " and allow all the rest to drive him. 

 Again, the " boss ox," although usually one 

 of the huge elder brethren of the team, may 

 have nothing either in his bodily or men- 

 tal qualities which, to our perceptions, fits him 

 for the post. But it is evident from the unan- 

 imity with which he and each of his inferiors 



