QUADRUPEDS. 107 
SECTION VIII. Ruminating 
THE BULL. (Bos Taurus.) 
THERE are, perhaps, no animals more generally useful to 
mankind than the race of oxen, in all their states of 
existence. They are all what is called ruminating ani- 
mals ; that is, after they have eaten their food, they pos- 
sess the power of returning it from the first stomach into 
the mouth, to be again masticated before it is finally 
digested. This is called chewing the cud ; and the ani- 
mal generally lying down, and looking very thoughtful 
while the operation is performing, is said to be ruminating ; 
and hence oxen are called ruminating animals. 
The Bull is a very fierce creature, and when enraged, 
runs about, tossing up his tail, and roaring most fearfully. 
When attacked by men or dogs, he tears up the ground 
with his feet, and then gallops after his assailants to en- 
deavour to toss them with his horns ; and very often he 
pursues in this manner any one he sees, particularly if 
they appear frightened. The best way for any one to 
take, who may be attacked by a Bull, is to stand still, and 
open an umbrella, or flap a shawl, or something of that 
kind, in the Bull's face ; as with all his fierceness he is a 
great coward, and only pursues those who fly from him. 
