XY1 
THE OX. 
HISTORY. 
East. He gradually diminishes in numbers beyond tbe Indus, and in Persia gives entire place to tbe Caucasian race. He is 
found, however, in Arabia, having been probably carried thither from India. An animal similar with respect to tbe possession of 
a dorsal bump, but probably of African descent, is numerous in Abyssinia and Upper Egypt, extending along tbe eastern coasts of 
Africa to tbe Island of Madagascar and tbe country of tbe Caffres, and westwards from Abyssinia to the Niger. 
He was found in Syria before the Christian era, Aristotle distinctly mentioning tbe bumped oxen of Syria. It has been 
observed as remarkable, that tbe Grecian sculptors gave a dewlap to their oxen somewhat like that of Eastern countries. No 
conclusion can be founded on this coincidence, with respect to tbe existence of this race in Greece, Tbe description and sculptures 
of tbe Greeks exhibit tbe Caucasian, and not tbe Indian forms. Dewlaps are largely developed in all races of Oxen which approach 
tbe natural state; and in copying tbe wilder bulls of their own country, the sculptors of Greece had sufficient examples of tbe 
graceful dewlap to guide them in their ideal representations. In the figures of the Zodiac by tbe Egyptians and Greeks, the form 
of tbe bull is always of tbe Caucasian, and never of tbe Indian animal. On tbe other hand, on the most ancient monuments of 
tbe East, as those of Elephanta, all tbe memorials of whose origin are bidden in tbe obscurity of the past, the representations of 
tbe Ox always exhibit tbe Zebu form. From the remotest antiquity, therefore, tbe form of tbe Indian Zebu has remained un¬ 
changed. Nay, some have believed that tbe Zebu is tbe original type of tbe Ox, that tbe warmer regions of tbe East are tbe 
native country of the race, and that it is only as be is removed from these that be assumes the Caucasian form. 
Tbe Zebu differs greatly in size in different parts of Hindostan, and other countries of tbe East. Like many species, be 
dwindles towards the countries of tbe Pacific, so that in Corea and tbe Islands of Japan be is little larger than a Hog, showing 
that these countries are at tbe limits of tbe natural habitat of the species. Even within tbe bounds of Hindostan be shows a 
great diversity of size and aspect, but we are not entitled to regard these variations as any other than those which distinguish breeds. 
In almost every considerable country we find variations as great in tbe form, size, and aspect of the different races of tbe domestic 
animals. There is not a greater difference between tbe dwarfish and hornless Zebu of certain districts of India, and tbe larger races 
of tbe same country, than there is between tbe little Ox of tbe mountains of Kerry, and tbe huge steers of tbe Lincolnshire fens. 
It is an error to argue, that, because in tbe same districts of India are to be seen both tbe dwarfish and tbe larger Zebu, tbe 
animals must be distinct. Breeds retain for an unknown period the characters once imprinted upon them : they may be mingled 
together in tbe same locality for ages, each retaining its distinctive characters. Thus in England we see breeds tbe most distin¬ 
guished from one another inhabiting tbe same tract of country from generation to generation. Naturalists would do well to avoid 
tbe confusion of seeking for slight characters to distinguish animals in all essential characters alike. We must change our defini¬ 
tion of a natural species, if we characterize as specifically distinct animals so manifestly similar as tbe different varieties of tbe 
Indian Zebu. 
Tbe finest breeds of tbe Eastern Zebu seem to be produced in the northern provinces of Hindostan. There they are tall and 
graceful animals, surpassing in tbe power of active motion any of tbe races of Oxen with which we are conversant in Europe. They 
are used for tbe saddle, for chariots, for tbe bearing of burdens, for common draught, and all tbe labours of tbe field. They accom¬ 
pany tbe predatory armies of Indian nations in thousands, carrying all tbe materials of war. They are used in state processions by 
tbe Princes of India. They are guided by a cord passed through tbe septum of tbe nose, to which are attached the bridle-reins, 
which, when not used, rest upon the bump of tbe shoulder. Their motion is easy, and they trot and gallop almost as freely as a 
horse. They have great powers of endurance, frequently travelling sixty or eighty miles a-day. When employed in chariots or tbe 
plough, they draw by a yoke which rests upon tbe shoulder. They are exceedingly tractable, and become attached to their keepers. 
Tbe milk-white colour is esteemed by tbe Hindoos, as by the ancient Egyptians, as having a character of sanctity. Very often 
rich Hindoos dedicate a particular bull of the sacred colour to Siva, when he is branded by the emblem of the god, and thencefor¬ 
ward becomes exempt from the contumely of servitude. He wanders where he will, and no one strikes, molests, or turns him 
from his path : he feeds in the gardens, the rice fields, or wherever he chooses to enter: he finds his way into the market-places of 
towns, and helps himself to the green herbs and choicest fruits without any one driving him away. Impunity renders him familiar: 
he will take food from the hand like a dog, and every where dainties are presented to him by simple devotees. These consecrated 
bulls are described by English residents as absolute pests in the villages of India, thrusting their noses into the stalls of fruiterers 
and pastry-cooks, robbing the peasants of their little treasure, and helping themselves to whatever they please. The reverence, 
however, paid to the Bull and the Cow is not extended to the emasculated Ox, who is treated with the utmost harshness, under 
the solitary exception of obedience to the law common to the Hindoos and Jews, of not muzzling the Ox when he treadeth out 
the corn. 
Examples of the larger as well as smaller races of these animals have been frequently brought to England, and they have been 
made to cross the common breeds of the country. The mixed offspring are fruitful with one another, and the characteristic hump 
