ARTIODACTYLES 



101 



6. Among the smallest and, at the same time, fiercest enemies of the 

 ox must be placed the flies. (See gad-fly, the Hypoderma bovis, and the 

 African tsetse.) These pests it endeavours to drive away by lashing 

 its tail, convulsively twitching its skin, or flicking them off its eyes with 

 its external ears. 



ii. The Ox a Herbivorous Animal. 



1. It is a well-known fact that a piece of meat furnishes a more lasting 

 nourishment than an equivalent amount of bread or any other vegetable 

 product {e.g., fruit or vegetables). Vegetable substances are therefore 

 less nutritious than animal products (flesh, milk, blood, etc.). The ox, 

 accordingly, having to support a body of large size, is obliged to take in 

 large quantities of food. 



(a) An animal of the size of an ox would not be able to satisfy its 

 hunger if it cut off the blades of grass singly, one by one (or in small 

 fragments, like rodents). It therefore pulls up its food in bunches. In 

 this task it is greatly assisted by the 

 tongue, which is very long, and, being pro- 

 truded laterally from the mouth, grasps the 

 bundle and conveys it to the teeth. The 

 tongue, moreover, is very rough, and 

 therefore able to obtain a firmer hold of 

 the grass. 



(6) For tearing off the bunch a long 

 row of incisors is necessary. These teeth, 

 accordingly, are broad and numerous, six 

 in number, and confined to the lower jaw. 

 The lower canine teeth also have the same 

 form as the incisors. By these teeth the 



bunch of fodder is pressed against the edge of the upper jaw, which 

 is toothless and cartilaginous. The tufts of grass are detached by an 

 upward push of the head. The incisors are very long and large, and 

 directed obliquely forwards, so that the animal is able to cut off quite 

 short grass ; but in this case no assistance is rendered by the tongue. 



(c) A great part of the day is spent by the ox in the act of feeding. 

 While thus engaged it cannot, like carnivorous animals, lie down or 

 stand still, but must continue to move along slowly. To this end it is 

 furnished with strong legs and feet, which terminate in stout hoofs (compare 

 with cat). Wild cattle, moreover, in order to find fresh pastures, are 

 often obliged to undertake long migrations. 



(d) The strong musculature of the neck enables the animal while 

 feeding to keep its head depressed for the space of hours. 



Anterior Portion of the Lower 

 Jaw of the Ox. 



