Knowledge of natural history, revfrom Reason why: natural history, giving reasons for hundreds of interesting facts in connection with zoology; and throwing light upon the peculiar habits and instincts of the various orders of the animal kingdom . ed in their natural forms.* 527. Why does a stag prefer to reach water before hestands at hay? Because, from his greater height, he can maintain afooting, while the dogs, obliged to swim, become compara-tively helpless. He therefore strikes at them with his hornswith great effect, while they have little power to attackhim. 528. Why are the horns of b
Knowledge of natural history, revfrom Reason why: natural history, giving reasons for hundreds of interesting facts in connection with zoology; and throwing light upon the peculiar habits and instincts of the various orders of the animal kingdom . ed in their natural forms.* 527. Why does a stag prefer to reach water before hestands at hay? Because, from his greater height, he can maintain afooting, while the dogs, obliged to swim, become compara-tively helpless. He therefore strikes at them with his hornswith great effect, while they have little power to attackhim. 528. Why are the horns of buffaloes of peculiar utilityto them? Because these animals feed in close jungles, where theireyes are of comparatively little use; and though the earsmay be of service, in enabling them to avoid hostile ani-mals and find friendly ones, they can be of no use in guid-ing a grazing animal to its food. Hence, the sense uponwhich they have chiefly to depend for their subsistence isthat of smell; and, as the scent of their food comes in theair, and is not on the surface of the ground, they require * Tomlinsons Encyclopaedia of Useful Arts and Manufactures. KNOWLEDGE OF NATURAL HISTORY. 179 In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.— the nose elevated while they are ranging the jungles. Indoing this, the horns act as powerful auxiliaries, as theirweight assists in balancing the weight of the head when theline of the face is carried in a horizontal position. 529. The horns of buffaloes are of use to them in another way. These animals change their pasturesby crossing rivers whichflood when the rains fall onthe mountains, and when itis dry there they run animals float along ap-parently at their ease, tillthey arrive at those placeswhich suit their habits. Themanner in which they carrytheir heads in swimming isshown in the accompanyingengraving; from which it isobvious that they use theweight of their horns as alever to elevate their eyesand nostrils. 530. Why is the
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1916
