A Guide for the Study of Animals Part 51

6. Commercial uses and value.

Ungulates: Review and Library Exercise

_Characteristics._

1. Cla.s.sification of ungulates based upon number of toes, kind of horns, "chewing the cud," etc. Some of the more important families with examples.

_Morphology and physiology._

2. The variation in the number and kinds of teeth. The dent.i.tion (or dental formula) of horse and cow.

3. The various types of horns. Shedding of horns and s.e.xual variation.

4. The structure and function of the stomach of a ruminant. Meaning of the cud-chewing habit.

5. The structure of the stomach of a camel.

_Economics._

6. Ungulates which have been domesticated.

7. Breeds of cattle--their distinguis.h.i.+ng marks and valuable points.

8. Breeds of horses--their distinguis.h.i.+ng marks and valuable points.

9. Breeds of sheep--their distinguis.h.i.+ng marks and valuable points.

10. Breeds of hogs--their distinguis.h.i.+ng marks and valuable points.

11. Angora goats.

12. The making of b.u.t.ter and cheese. Kinds of cheese. Subst.i.tutes for b.u.t.ter.

13. The packing industry. Ungulates useful as food.

14. The various methods of preserving meat.

15. Cattle ranches and "round-ups." Free cattle in winter.

16. Cattle raising in your state; in other countries.

17. Transportation of cattle. Stock cars, care and feeding.

18. Useful products derived from ungulates.

19. Tanning. Varieties and use of leather.

20. Diagrams showing chief cuts of meats.

21. Sheep husbandry. Shearing.

22. Ungulates as beasts of burden. Advantages and disadvantages.

23. Government inspection--quarantine.

_Natural History._

24. Geographical distribution of ungulates. Habitat and range.

25. Native ungulates of North America.

26. How, when, and by whom cattle and horses were introduced into America.

27. The geological history of the horse.

28. The story of the buffalo.

29. Deer hunting.

30. Methods of protection from enemies among ungulates.

31. Breeding habits and care of young in case of ungulates.

32. Intelligence in the case of horses.

33. Strange and peculiar ungulates to be seen in museums and zoological gardens.

The Horse

The pupil is expected to study carefully the account of Eohippus or Hyracotherium in his text or any other available reference book, and to supplement that work and this brief sketch with original observations upon horses on the street, at a local store, or wherever possible or convenient.

From the early horses which migrated from North America there arose in Asia and Africa the a.s.s, famous in the history of early civilization and still used in some localities as beasts of burden or for the breeding of mules, which are the crosses between a.s.s and horse. There also arose the zebra and the most primitive of modern horses, Przewalskii's horse, a wild pony of western China, about forty inches high and almost identical with the drawings of the horse made by early man, 30,000 years ago. Doubtless the modern ponies of Ireland, Iceland, and Shetland are descendants of the original Przewalskii type and not, as is often claimed, true horses stunted by rigors of climate and scant fare.

The horse is characterized largely by the presence of a lock of hair between the ears, a full mane and tail, small ears, large hoofs, and peculiar neigh. The a.s.s has no forelock, a scanty mane and tail, long ears, small hoofs, and a distinct bray.

By means of various crusades and raids, the modern horse was introduced into Europe from Asia, where it is clearly traced in history to the reign of King Solomon. Here, in Europe, because of local conditions and demands, it a.s.sumed differing type forms. The roadster type is closest to the Arabian in character. The draft or heavy type was bred in western Europe when heavy armor came into use for rider and horse, and the coach or carriage type was developed when armor was abandoned for gunpowder. Finally explorers and colonists brought the horse back to America, its original home.

The various types and varieties may be briefly described.

_A._ The draft type has short legs, short neck, large round body, and ranges in weight from 1400 pounds to 2000 pounds.