280 
MAMMALIA. 
these cattle is now employed to make Liebig’s “ Extract of Meat,” 
from which soup can be obtained at a minute’s notice. This new 
preparation is the dry and concentrated extract made from the 
liquor which remains after boiling down the beef. Europe, at 
the present time, consumes no inconsiderable quantity of this 
extr actum carnis, the invention of a Berlin chemist. 
In spite of the immense slaughter, there appears to be no dimi- 
nution in the number of Wild Cattle, which wander far and wide 
in these vast regions of America, because the destruction which 
takes place is duly compensated for by their annual reproduction. 
Much ink has been used and much paper has been spoiled in 
the endeavour to solve the question as to the origin of the Ox ; 
but, even now, we are no further advanced than at the outset of 
the discussion, and are, after all, compelled to proceed on con- 
jecture. Is the Domestic Ox a descendant of any one of 
the wild species of the genus, such as the Buffalo ? This 
opinion, which, however, was that adopted by Buffon, is now 
abandoned. Are we to seek in Europe the primitive type of the 
species, or in Asia, the cradle of civilization ? Or is it not the case 
that the bovine races of the East and West have each respectively 
their own special origin P and would it not border on impudence to 
assert that the latter are derived from the former, since such an 
assertion is based on nothing but very vague data, drawn from the 
fables of antiquity, frequently so erroneous ? 
However we may answer these questions, the most ancient 
documents of historic ages describe the Ox, the Horse, the Dog, 
and the Sheep, as associated with Man. The former animal 
was carried over to America shortly after the discovery of that 
continent, and is now spread over the entire earth, forming 
one of the most important elements of its wealth. How, 
indeed, could any one describe the state to which agriculture 
would be reduced if suddenly deprived of the Ox ? This humble 
and patient animal forms the most useful assistant of the small 
farmer, and also constitutes the main performer of the most 
important agricultural operations. It helps to till the ground ; it 
drags immense and heavily laden waggons ; it takes a part in all 
the labours of the farm ; and, after fifteen or sixteen years of a 
well-spent life, it yields up for the benefit of Man its flesh, bones, 
fat, skin, horns, hoofs, and blood — all of them products which 
