HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 41 



They all breed with the tame Cow. The hump, 

 which is only an accidental chara&eriftic, gradually de- 

 clines j and, in a few generations, no veftiges of it re- 

 main. — Thus we fee, whether it be the wild or the tame 

 Ox, the Bonafus or the Urus, the Bifon or the Zebu, by 

 whatever name they are diftinguiflied, or however vari- 

 oufly clafTed by naturalifts, in reality they are the fame ; 

 and, though diverfified in their appearance and proper- 

 ties, are defcendants of one common (lock; of which 

 the moft unequivocal proof is, that they all mix and~ 

 breed with each other. 



The Oxen of India are of different fizes, and are made 

 ufe of in travelling, as fubftitutes for horfes. Their 

 common pace is foft. Inftead of a bit, a fmall cord is 

 palled through the cartilage of the noftrils, which is tied 

 to a larger cord, and ferves as a bridle. They are fad- 

 died like horfes j and, when pufhed, move very brifkly. 

 They are likewife ufed in drawing chariots and carts. 

 For the former purpofe, white Oxen are in great efteem, 

 and much admired. They will perform journies of fixty 

 days, at the rate of from twelve to fifteen leagues a day ; 

 and their travelling pace is generally a trot. 



In Perfia, there are many Oxen entirely white, with 

 fmall blunt horns, and humps on their backs. They are 

 very ftrong, and carry heavy burthens. When about to 

 be loaded, they drop down on their knees like the Ca- 

 mel, and rife when their burthens are properly fattened. 



