RUMINATION. 
511 
Although the process of ruminating is mostly confined to the Ox and the other animals 
whose names have been already mentioned, it has, in more than one instance, been discovered 
in human beings. 
In many parts of the world, such as the Pampas of America and the Australian colonies, 
vast herds of cattle roam the country as freely as if they were the original inhabitants. 
Although they are all sprung from domesticated cattle which have been permitted to run wild 
or have escaped from their owners, they have returned to the habits as well as the conditions 
of savage life, and can only be brought temporarily within the subjection of man by actual 
force. 
However free and uncurbed they may be, they are all private property, and except 
when of very tender age, are all branded with the name of their owner burnt deeply into the 
skin. In detaching the unmarked cattle from the remainder of the herd, and bringing them 
safe to the enclosure where they are to receive the distinguishing brand of their proprietor, 
the cattle-drivers exhibit an extraordinary mixture of excellent horsemanship, great dexterity, 
cool patience, and fearless daring. Yet the man is sure to triumph over the beast at last, 
however cunning or powerful it may be, and before the poor animal has quite recovered from 
his surprise at finding himself mastered for the first time in his life, he has been captured, 
tied, branded, and set free again. 
In Africa, the cattle are not only employed for the yoke, but are also educated for the 
saddle, and are taught to obey the bit as well as many horses. The bit is of very primitive 
form, being nothing more than a stick which is passed through the nostrils, and to which the 
reins are tied. One end of the stick is generally forked to prevent it from falling out of its 
place, and in guiding the animal, the rider is obliged to draw both reins to the right or left 
side, lest he should pull out the wooden bit. 
The Saddle Oxen of Africa are not very swift steeds, their pace being about four or five 
miles an hour ; and as their skin is so loosely placed on their bodies that the saddle sways at 
every step, their rider has no very agreeable seat. In training the Ox for the saddle, the 
teachers avail themselves of the aid of two trained Oxen, between which the novice is tied, 
and which soon teach it the proper lesson of obedience. 
The horns of this variety of the Ox are of marvellous length, having been known to exceed 
thirteen feet in total length, and nearly nine feet from tip to tip. The circumference of these 
enormous horns was more than eighteen inches, measured at their bases. One such horn is 
capable of containing upwards of twenty imperial pints. These weapons are not only long, 
but are sharply pointed, and are of so formidable a nature that a lion has been kept at 
bay during a whole night, not daring to leap upon an animal so well defended. As these 
horns might prove dangerous to the rider in case of the animal suddenly jerking its head, 
or flinging him forward by a stumble, the natives are in the habit of training them in vari- 
ous fashionable modes, by which the danger is avoided. Sometimes the horns are split 
into numerous ribbons, and curled fantastically in various directions ; sometimes they are 
merely bent forwards and downwards ; but the method most in vogue is to cause them to 
swing loosely at each side of the head, their points towards the earth, and out of the way 
of the rider. 
It is a remarkable fact that this Ox is in the habit of chewing dry bones whenever it finds 
them lying on the ground. The caribou, or American reindeer, is known to gnaw the fallen 
antlers of its companions, and probably with the same object. 
Should the Ox turn out to be of a peculiarly savage disposition, he is soon conquered by 
having a heavy iron chain fastened round his neck. The continual weight which he is forced 
to carry whenever he moves, together with the jingling of the iron links, has such an effect 
upon his spirits, that he is forced to yield after a few days’ trial. It is said that if the Ox is 
forced into the long grass which grows so luxuriantly in Southern Africa, it becomes alarmed, 
because it feels itself unable to see an approaching enemy, and is even terrified at the prox- 
imity of its own companions. 
It is worthy of remark in the present place, that the skin of a white Ox is considered by 
