162 THE DOMESTIC. OX. 
hillocks at intervals, like those of the.common mole. On account of this 
propensity it has received the name of Zand Mall, or Sand Mole, from the 
Dutch Boers who inhabit the Cape. 
The colour of the Sand Mole is a uniformly light greyish-brown, rather 
variable in tinting. As it is very soft and full in texture, and can be obtained 
in great quantities, it might be profitably made a regular article of trade. 
The Sand Mole is as large as our ordinary wild rabbit, being about fifteen 
inches in total length, the tail measuring about three inches. 
THE Bay BaMBOO Rar is one representative of the genus Rhizomys, of 
which there are several species. 
This animal is a native of Nepal, Malacca, and China, and is very injurious 
to the bamboos, on the roots of which it feeds. In size it equals a rather 
small rabbit, and in colour it is of a uniform ruddy brown, slightly paler on 
the throat and abdomen. The long incisor teeth are faced with bright red 
enamel, which gives them a rather conspicuous appearance; the tail is short 
and marked, and the claws are rather small. The head is of a peculiar form, 
which will be better understood from the engraving than by description alone, 
OXEN: 
IN the large and important group of animals which now occupy our 
attention, the incisor teeth are entirely absent in the upper jaw, and are eight 
in number in the lower. There are six molars on each side of each jaw. 
The two middle toes of each foot are separate, and are furnished with hoofs 
instead of claws. From the frontal bones proceed two excrescences, which 
are generally armed with horns, particularly in the male animal. The 
structure of the stomach and gullet is very remarkable, and is employed in 
producing that peculiar action which is called “ruminating,” or chewing 
the cud. 
The Domestic Ox of Europe has been so modified in form, habits, and 
dimensions, by its long intercourse with mankind, that it has developed into 
as many permanent varieties as the dog, the pigeon, or the rabbit, and would 
in many cases be thought to belong to different species. Among the principal 
varieties of this animal may be noticed the Long-horned, the Short-horned, 
and the Polled or hornless breeds, and the Alderney cow, so celebrated for 
the quantity and quality of the milk which it daily furnishes. In almost 
every part of the world are found examples of the Ox, variously modified in 
order to suit the peculiar circumstances amid which they are placed, but in 
all instances they are susceptible of domestication, and are employed in the 
service of mankind. 
There are few animals which are more thoroughly useful to man than the 
Ox, or whose loss we should feel more deeply in the privation of so many com- 
forts. Putting aside the two obvious benefits of its flesh and its milk—both 
of which are so needful for our comfort that we almost forget to think about 
them at all—we derive very great benefit from its powers while living, and 
from many portions of its body when dead. 
In many parts of England, Oxen are still employed in agricultural labour, 
drawing the plough or waggon with a slow but steady ploughing gait. The car- 
penter would find himself sadly at a loss were his supply of glue to be suddenly 
checked by the disappearance of the animal, from whose hoofs, ears, and 
hide-parings the greater part of that useful material is manufactured. The 
harness-maker, carriage-builder,and shoemaker would in that case be deprived 
of a most valuable article in their trade; the cutler and ivory turner would 
lose a considerable portion of the rough material upon which they work ; the 
