ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
81 
The first stomach, in which the food is received, is very 
large when compared with the others. This is a kind of 
storehouse or receptacle where the food by warmth and 
moisture is prepared for the second chewing. When this 
sack or pouch is well filled, the animal generally retires 
to a shady place and lies down, when the process of rumi- 
nating begins. The alternate motion of the cud, as it pasess 
up and down, is quite apparent in many ruminants. 
To this order man is most indebted, his food being obtained 
from their flesh, and their hides, horns, bones, hair, milk, and 
even blood being hourly in demand : yielding valuable service 
as beasts of burden ; feeding on the verdure of the land, 
which by converting into their own flesh they prepare for the 
use of man, nine-tenths of whom never think of looking on 
them with an eye of admiration or wonder, or of enquiring into 
the habits or the formation of this useful family of animals. 
The general structure of this order is strikingly well 
adapted to their habits and wants. In general, their legs 
are long in proportion to the length of their bodies, and 
their backbone is not only of great length but highly flexible, 
both of which are conditions favorable to great activity and 
freedom of motion. Their ears are generally long and 
movable in all directions, so that sounds may be caught 
from whatever quarter they come. This is a provision of 
great consequence, since, while feeding, their ears are turned 
in a direction contrary to their sight, and hence they may be 
warned of danger from before as well as behind. Their eyes 
are situated at the sides of the head, and thus in addition to 
the usual range of vision of other animals, they can see 
behind as well as before them. It will be obvious that these 
are designed and merciful provisions, since these animals 
when pursued, can hear the direction of their followers, and 
see them also without stopping, while effecting their escape 
at full speed. 
Their means of defence are their horns and hoofs, in 
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