ON THE SOCIALITY OF BRUTES. 
115 
much sweat breaks forth,” it appears to have been customary in, 
Greece, in his time, to yoke them by the horns. When in the 
plough, the Roman farmers were careful not to overwork them. 
Their furrows were short, 120 feet being the length of the breaks 
into which the land was divided; and it was thought too severe 
for them to pull hard, without resting, a greater distance than 
this. At the end of each furrow they were allowed to halt a 
little, when the ploughman lifted forward their yokes that their 
necks mi^lit cool. After they are unyoked he is enjoined to 
rub well their necks and backs, to pour wine into their mouths if 
they are warm, to give them no food till they cease from sweat¬ 
ing, and then only in small portions, and afterwards to lead 
them to the water, and encourage them to drink by whistling. 
In purchasing working oxen, the farmer is directed to choose 
such as have u spacious horns, a broad forehead, wide nostrils, 
a broad chest, and thick dewlaps.” The hair of their cattle, they 
observe, should be short and thick, the skin very soft to the touch, 
and the body in general compact and square. The particular 
parts they describe with great minuteness, and generally in such 
terms as would be approved of by experienced breeders in modem 
times, making allowance for the different properties which are 
admired in an ox which is to work, and in one which is to be fed. 
All their authors concur in advising the farmer to rear at home, if 
possible, all the cattle he requires, or to be very careful in choos¬ 
ing them from a soil and climate similar to that on which they 
are to work. 
Asses and mules were also used, though less frequently, in 
agricultural labour. The ass was chiefly employed in carrying 
burdens, in the mill, and occasionally in the plough, where the 
land is light. Mules are recommended both for the road and the 
plough, where the land is not stiff, and when their price is not 
too high. Horses were scarcely, if at all, used in Roman agri¬ 
culture; but they were reared by many farmers for the saddle, 
for the chase, or for war. 
Quarterly Journal of Agriculture . 
On the Sociality of Brutes. 
There is a wonderful spirit of sociality in the brute creation, 
independent of sexual attachment; the congregating of grega¬ 
rious birds in the winter is a remarkable instance. Many horses, 
though quiet with company, will not stay one moment in a field 
by themselves ; the strongest fences cannot restrain them. My 
neighbour’s horse will not only not stay by himself abroad, but 
