THE HARE.

The prohibitions of the Mosaic law-The chewing of the cud and division of the hoof-Identity of the Hare of Scripture-Rumination described-The Hare a rodent and not a ruminant-Cowper and his Hares-Structure of the rodent tooth-The Mosaic law accommodated to its recipients-The Hares of Palestine and their habits.

96

CATTLE.

The cattle of Palestine, and their decadence at the present day-Ox-flesh not used for food in modern times-Oxen of the stall, and oxen of the pastureThe use of the ox in agriculture-The yoke and its structure-The plough and the goad-The latter capable of being used as a weapon-Treading out the corn-The cart and its wheels-The ox used as a beast of burden-Cattle turned loose to graze-The bulls of Bashan-Curiosity of the ox tribe—A season of drought-Branding the cattle-An Egyptian field scene-Cattlekeeping an honourable post-The ox as used for sacrifice-Ox-worship-The bull Apis, and his history-Persistency of the bull-worship-Jeroboam's sin -Various names of cattle-The Indian buffalo.

. 101

THE WILD BULL.

The Tô, Wild Bull of the Old Testament-Passages in which it is mentionedThe Wild Bull in the net-Hunting with nets in the East-The Oryx supposed to be the Tô of Scripture-Description of the Oryx, its locality, appearance, and habits-The points in which the Oryx agrees with the TôThe "snare" in which the foot is taken, as distinguished from the net 116

THE REÊM, OR "UNICORN" OF SCRIPTURE.

The Reém evidently known to the Jews-Various theories concerning the Unicorn -Supposed identity with the Indian Rhinoceros-Passages of Scripture alluding to the strength, violent and intractable temper of the Reêm-The Reêm a two-horned animal-Its evident connexion with the Ox tribe-Its presumed identity with the now extinct Urus-Mr. Dawkins' treatise on the Irus-Enormous size and dangerous character of the Urus-Rabbinical legend of the Reêm-Identity of the Urus with the modern varieties of cattle-The Bull-hunts of Nineveh

121

The Hart and Hind of Scripture-Spetas of Dem ensang a Fiesen-Fuses mention of the Hind-The Hart classed among the tea mata- ? Les alluding to its speed-Care of the mother fe her jag ni be nam Đế secreting it-Tameable character of the Iver-The Bucail voters and their theories-Shedding of the Deer's burns, its fallal mode of sleeping— The gall in the tail-Curions tralitics of the ecmity between Ier

es of a Deer-skin ecat.

THE BISON.

The Bison tribe and its distinguishing marks-Its former existence in Palestine-

Its general habits—Origin of its name-Its musky odour-Size and speed of

the Bison-Its dangerous character when brought to bay-Its defence against

the Wolf-Its untameable disposition.

131

THE GAZELLE, OR ROE OF SCRIPTURE.

The Gazelle identified with the Tsebi, i.e. the Roe or Roebuck of Scripture-

Various passages relating to the Tsebi-Its swiftness, its capabilities as a

beast of chase, its beauty, and the quality of its flesh--The Tsebiyah rendered

in Greek as Tabitha, and translated as Dorcas, or Gazelle-Different varieties

of the Gazelle-How the Gazelle defends itself against wild beasts-Chase of

the Gazelle-The net, the battue, and the pitfall-Coursing the Gazelle with

greyhounds and falcons-Mr. Chasseaud's account of a hunting party-

Gentleness of the Gazelle

133

THE PYGARG, OR ADDAX.

The Dishon or Dyshon-Signification of the word Pygarg-Certainty that the

Dishon is an antelope, and that it must be one of a few species-Former and

present range of the Addax-Description of the Addax-The Strepsiceros

of Pliny

141

THE FALLOW-DEER, OR BUBALE.

The word Jachmur evidently represents a species of antelope-Probability that

the Jachmur is identical with the Bubale, or Bekk'r-el-Wash-Resemblance

of the animal to the ox tribe-Its ox-like horns and mode of attack-Its

capability of domestication-Former and present range of the Bubale-Its

representation on the monuments of ancient Egypt-Delicacy of its flesh-

Size and general appearance of the animal

143

THE SHEEP.

Importance of Sheep in the Bible-The Sheep the chief wealth of the pastoral

tribes-Tenure of land-Value of good pasture-land-Arab shepherds of the

present day-Difference between the shepherds of Palestine and England-

Wanderings of the flocks in search of food-Value of the wells-How the

Sheep are watered-Duties of the shepherd-The shepherd a kind of irregular

soldier-His use of the sling-Sheep following their shepherd--Calling the

Sheep by name--The shepherd usually a part owner of the flocks-Structure

of the sheepfolds-The rock caverns of Palestine-David's adventure with

Saul-Penning of the Sheep by night-Use of the dogs-Sheep sometimes

brought up by hand-How Sheep are fattened in the Lebanon district-

The two breeds of Sheep in Palestine-The broad-tailed Sheep, and its

peculiarities-Reference to this peculiarity in the Bible-The Talmudical

writers, and their directions to sheep-owners
. 146

THE CHAMOIS.

The Zemer or Chamois only once mentioned in the Bible-Signification of the

word Zemer-Probability that the Zemer is the Aoudad-Appearance of the

Aondad-Its strength and activity-Fierce temper of the adult male-Horns

of the Aoudad-Their probable use as musical instruments-Habits of the

Aoudad-The Mouflon probably classed with the Aoudad under the name of

Zemer-Appearance and habits of the Mouflon . .

185

THE GOAT.

Value of the Goat-Its use in furnishing food-The male kid the usual animal of

laughter-Excellence of the flesh, and deception of Isaac-Milk of the Goat

-An Oriental milking scene-The hair of the Goat, and the uses to which it

is put-The Goat's skin used for leather-The "bottle" of Scripture-Mode

of making and repairing the bottles-Ruse of the Gibeonites-The "bottle in

the smoke "The sacks and the kneading-troughs-The Goat as used for

sacrifice-General habits of the Goat-Separation of the Goats from the sheep

-Performing Goats-Different breeds of Goats in Palestine

189

THE WILD GOAT.

The Azelim or Wild Goats of Scripture identical with the Beden or Arabian Ibex--

Different names of the Beden---Its appearance and general habits-En-gedi,

or Goats' Fountain-The Beden formerly very plentiful in Palestine, and now

tolerably common-Its agility-Difficulty of catching or killing it-How the

young are captured-Flesh of the Beden-Use of the horns at the present day

-The Ako of Deuteronomy.
203

THE DEER.

The Hart and Hind of Scripture-Species of Deer existing in Palestine-Earliest

mention of the Hind-The Hart classed among the clean animals-Passages

alluding to its speed-Care of the mother for her young, and her custom of

secreting it-Tameable character of the Deer-The Rabbinical writers and

their theories--Shedding of the Deer's horns-Its fabled mode of sleeping-

The gall in the tail-Curious traditions of the enmity between Deer and

serpents--Virtues of a Deer-skin coat. .

208