THE ZEBU. 
513 
at a certain well, and, having slaked their thirst, to leap back again into their own pasture. 
As a beast of burden, the Zebn is in great request, for it can carry a heavy load for a very 
great distance, though at no great speed. 
The Zebn race has a very wide range of locality, being found in India, China, Madagascar, 
and the eastern coast of Africa. It is believed, however, that its native land is India, and that 
it must have been imported from thence into the other countries. 
There are various breeds of Zebn, some being about the size of onr ordinary cattle, and 
others varying in dimensions from a large Ox to a small Newfoundland dog. One of the most 
familiar of these varieties is the well-known Brahmin Bull, so called because it is considered 
to be sacred to Bramah. 
The more religious among the Hindoos, scrupulously observant of the letter of a law 
which was intended to be universal in its application, but to which they give only a partial 
interpretation, indulge this animal in the most absurd manner. They place the sacred mark 
of Siva on its body, and permit it to wander about at its own sweet will, pampered by every 
luxury, and never opposed in any wish or caprice which it may form. A Brahmin Bull will 
walk along the street with a quaintly dignified air, inspect anything and anybody that may 
excite his curiosity, force every one to make way for himself, and if he should happen to take 
a fancy to the contents of a fruiterer’s or greengrocer’s shop, will deliberately make his choice 
and satisfy his wishes, none daring to cross him. The indulgence which is extended to this 
to the fore part of the animal a very characteristic aspect. The limbs are slender, and the 
back, after rising towards the haunches, falls suddenly at the tail. 
The Zebu is a quiet and intelligent animal, and is capable of being trained in various 
modes for the service of mankind. It is a good draught animal, and is harnessed either to 
carriages or ploughs, which it can draw with great steadiness, though with but little speed. 
Sometimes it is used for riding, and is possessed of considerable endurance, being capable of 
carrying a rider for fifteen hours in a day, at an average rate of five or six miles per hour. 
The Nagore breed is specially celebrated for its capabilities as a steed, and is remarkable for 
its peculiarly excellent action. These animals are very active, and have been known to leap 
over a fence which was higher than our five-barred gates, merely for the purpose of drinking 
ZEBU . — Bos indicus. 
