SOUTHERN AFRICA. 435 
*'* and knocking down appeared to be dextroiisly performed ; 
" and that in both instances the throats of the oxen were 
" instantly cut, to the end that the blood might be properly 
" discharged. The oxen which were pithed fell upon their 
" knees the moment the knife was thrust into them, but 
*' from their violent struggles and convulsive contortions they 
" seemed to experience excruciating torture :. their eyes re- 
" mained in an animated and susceptible state ; their breath- 
" ing was retained ; and they continued apparently in great 
agony for upwards of ten minutes before they expired : 
" wiiereas the oxen which were slaughtered in the ordinary 
" practice of knocking down fell at the first stroke of the axe 
" upon their foreheads ; and the moment they were down, 
" they were struck two or three more blows on the same part 
" of the head with the same instrument,, when their eyes 
" immediately became fixed, they appeared insensible of 
" further pain, and in the space of three minutes fi'om the 
" time of their being first struck all animation was com- 
" pleteiy extinct. So far, therefore, as this experiment ex- 
" tended it appeared evident that the common method of 
" knocking down was preferable to the new mode of pitJung\ 
" not only as it was more merciful to the animal, but because 
" the blood flowed more freely from the throats of the oxen, 
" and the flesh was thereby rendered in a better state." 
The above experiments so a})]y conducted, and reported 
without prejudice or partiality, must set the question for ever 
at rest ; and it is to be hoped, therefore, that while Britons 
liave firmness of nerve to face an ox, and strength of muscle 
3 K 2 
