An Alphabet Of Quadrupeds Part 2

[Ill.u.s.tration: NYL GHAU.]

NYL GHAU.

This animal is a kind of antelope, but is larger than the usual size of the antelope, and not so handsome in form. It stands upwards of four feet in height at the shoulder. It is a powerful and vicious creature, and its temper is not good. When it is about to make an attack, it drops down upon its fore-legs, and then darts quickly forward and gives a blow with its head, which is very dangerous. The hair of the nyl ghau is short and close, and is generally of a slate color in the male, and a tawny red in the female, except in the under parts of the body, which are always white. Its fore-legs are longer than its hinder-legs, and it has the appearance of having a small lump at its shoulder. It is usually found in the forests of India, where it becomes the prey of the tigers and wild boars. The cut below shows how the nyl ghau defends himself when attacked.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: OX.]

OX.

The ox is very much like the bull and the cow in form, size, and color, and lives in the fields as they do. As soon as he is large enough, he is made to work for man; he draws the plough and the wagon, and in old times used to tread out the corn, instead of thras.h.i.+ng as people do now. He is not so wild or fierce as the bull, but its flesh and hide are as useful to us. The ox's foot is of a h.o.r.n.y substance, and is called a hoof, like that of the bull and the cow. It is not like the horse's hoof, because it is separated in two. The horns of the ox are made into combs, drinking cups, handles for knives, and other things. The blood of the ox is very useful, and when boiled with brown sugar it helps to make it white. The blood also makes a blue dye. Boys should not tease an ox, or throw stones at him. Sometimes they turn on their tormentors, and gore them with their horns.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: PORCUPINE.]

PORCUPINE.

This is an animal of whom the most ridiculous stories have been told, particularly as to its power of darting its quills to a considerable distance when attacked, and in this manner wounding its enemies.

Instead, however of being an enemy to be feared, there is not, perhaps, a more timid creature in existence. But still, as a means of defence, these quills are of great service to their possessor, and preserve it from the attack of most of its enemies; its teeth are very strong and sharp; and if it had courage enough to use them, it would become rather a dangerous foe. When full grown, it measures nearly two feet in length. Its general color is a grizzled, dusky black. The upper part of the head and neck is furnished with long light hairs.

Most parts of the back and sides are armed with long, sharp pointed quills, which are raised in a threatening manner whenever the animal is excited. The porcupine sleeps during the day, and at night searches for food. Below is a picture of an odd kind of porcupine. It is called a Brazilian porcupine.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: QUAGGA.]

QUAGGA.

This animal is somewhat like the horse, but most like the zebra, as you may see by comparing the two together. It is found in the southern parts of Africa, living mostly in the plains in large herds. It is not so large or so beautiful as the zebra. Its skin is of a dull brownish white, striped with darker color on the head and neck, and somewhat on the sides of its body; the upper parts of its legs are greyish, and the under parts white. It is a wild creature, and rather vicious in temper. It is made to draw by the natives of the country where it is found, and its flesh is eaten by them.

The quagga differs from the zebra in his stripes. You may see by the figure of the zebra, below, that he is striped all over his body and limbs, while the quagga has stripes only on the head and the fore part of the body.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: RABBIT.]

RABBIT.

Rabbits are timid little animals, prettily formed, with beautiful long ears. They run swiftly, and jump very nimbly. Wild rabbits live in woods and burrow holes in banks of earth, where they hide themselves from danger. The wild rabbits are of a greyish brown color, but the tame rabbits are white, black, brown, black and white, and reddish.

The white have pink eyes. Their fur is soft, and is used for making hats. Their flesh is white and very good to eat. The tame rabbits are kept in very small huts, and little boys and girls are fond of feeding them, for they will eat out of their hand, carrots, lettuce, and other green vegetables. Below is a picture of a pretty kind of tame rabbits with very long ears.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: SHEEP.]

SHEEP.

The sheep is perhaps the most useful animal we have in our country; the flesh, called mutton, is most wholesome food. The hair of the skin, called wool, is made into cloth, flannel, and worsted. The skin is made into parchment to write upon, and leather; and from other parts of its body are made the strings for harps and violins, &c. The finest wool is procured from the sheep which are bred in Spain. The sheep is very timid and harmless, and lives as you often may see in flocks, feeding on the gra.s.s of the fields and mountains. The hills and mountains which are too steep and barren for growing corn afford pasturage for the sheep. It very soon knows the shepherd who is set over it, and is easily guided by him. The young of the sheep are called lambs. Here is a picture of a Scotch shepherd keeping sheep in the Highlands.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: TIGER.]

TIGER.

This very beautiful animal, is called a tiger, and is a native of India, a very hot country in Asia. Tigers are very fierce, and will often kill men, and animals a great deal larger than themselves. They live in the woods and thickets, called jungles, where they are hunted.

Tigers eat the flesh of animals which they kill. We have none in America, except a few carried about for show. The tiger is as big as a lion, and like the cat in shape, but much larger; he has a long tail, and a handsome striped skin, covered with short hair, which is used for a variety of useful and ornamental purposes. He is very active and can spring far. The tiger has sometimes been tamed by menagerie keepers, but he is a very sly and dangerous creature, and never to be trusted.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: URUS.]