and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
THE MIRROR
OF
LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.
| Vol. 19. No. 552.] | SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 1832 | [PRICE 2d. |
THE BRAHMIN BULL, IN THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS, REGENT'SPARK.
The Zoological Society possess several Zebus, or Indianoxen. These were formerly considered a distinct species, butzoologists are now of opinion that the Zebu is merely a variety ofthe common ox, "although," as Mr. Bennett observes, "it isdifficult to ascertain the causes by which the distinctivecharacters of the two races have been in the process of timegradually produced."1 Theiranatomical structure is precisely the same, and the onlycircumstances in which the two animals differ consist in the fattyhump on the shoulders of the Zebu, and in the somewhat more slenderand delicate make of its legs.
The object of the Zoological Society in their collection ofZebus is the introduction of an improved breed of oxen. The largerspecimens are kept at the farm at Kingston Hill, and only a pair ofsmall ones are reserved for the Gardens, in addition to the BrahminBull, who occupies the central division of the Cattle Shed.
Brahmin Bull in Cattle Shed.The specimen before us has been received by the Society fromIndia, and is one of the largest that has ever been seen in Europe.It is equal in size to the larger breeds of our native oxen, and isof a slaty grey on the body and head; [pg 386] with cream-colouredlegs and dewlap, the latter exceedingly long and pendulous; veryshort horns directed upwards and outwards; and ears of greatproportional magnitude, and so flexible and obedient to theanimal's will as to be moved in all directions with the greatestfacility. Although a full-grown male, he is perfectly quiet,good-tempered, and submissive, and receives the caresses ofstrangers with apparent satisfaction.
The whole of the breeds of Zebus are treated with greatveneration by the Hindoos, who hold it sinful to deprive them oflife under any pretext whatever. They are in general used as beastsof draft, principally for purposes of husbandry, but a selectnumber (of which the specimen before us is one,) are exempted fromall services, and even idolized.
Bishop Heber,2 calls themBrahminy Bulls, and tells us they are turned out whencalves, on different solemn occasions by wealthy Hindoos, as anacceptable offering to Siva. It would be a mortal sin to strike orinjure them. They feed where they choose, and devout persons takegreat delight in pamp