17 o THE OX AND ITS KINDRED 
away. Where darkest, they often show a distinct 
marginal ring. So far as I can ascertain, the spots 
are produced by burning the growing horns ; while it 
is probable that the country where the process is 
practised is some part of North Africa. If this be so, 
the oxen probably belong to the humped species. 
The horns are stated to be trained by means of 
bandages from an early stage of growth, and are 
annually burned with a hot iron. Such a mode of 
treatment would accord with the nature of the marks, 
alike as regards colour, the marginal rings, and the 
fact that those near the tip are fainter than the rest. 
The horns are scraped at frequent intervals during 
life, and polished after death. 
