The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-31
ARE PROTECTED BY NATURE.
why Cows Are Equipped with More
Dangerous Horns Than Bulls.
From Pearson's Magazine.

rum Cdl SOh , N1d SHGlic-
It may, perhaps, have struck some of
my readers as odd Il remember puzzling
over the matter during my boyhood) that
the horns of the cow-an eminently peace
loving creature in ordinary circumstances
are usually much more dangerous than
those of the bull, whose pugnacious dispo-
sition has become a proverb.
Not only are the cows horns both longer
and sharper, but in most breeds of cattle
they are bent forwards and upwards in
such way that, in the act of charging or
tossing an enemy, they would generally
penetrate far enough to kill. The horns
of the bull are not only shorter stouter
and more blunt than those of the COW,
but in many species, they stick straight
out on each side of the forehead, so that
they cannot be used in a forward thrust.
One can understand that, in the wild
state, a COW would often need to protect
herself and her helpless offspring from
wolves and such-like merciless enemies.
In warfare of this kind no quarter is ever
given. Hence one is not surprised at her
weapons being of as deadly a character
as the fangs of her assaiants. But why
have many bulls thick and blunt horns
set on in such a way as to render their
points of little use when they charge or
toss an enemy?
Inc main ItdSOu OOuDlltSS 10 iidt NhN
horns Of the buh are mainly used for
fighting his rivals for the leadership of
the herd; and it is not to the interest of
the race that in such contests both ami
mails should be gored to death.
In every herd of wild cattle one bull
has the supreme command; the cows con-
stitute his iarem, and all the younger
male animals treat him with profound re-
spect He won his position in the first
place by overcoming his previous leader
in single combat, and in the same manner
he must maintain 1t.
But in duel a outrance, II both COM
batants were armed with weapons which
readily inflict a mortal wound, neither of
them would survive and the herd might
finally be left to the leadership OF some
inferior beast which had carefully avoid
ed the risks of battle.
Seeing that the leader Of the herd for
the time being is the progenitor of nearly
all the next seasons caves, it is obviously
important that he should be a fine robust
animal; and one can easily see how quick
ly the race might deteriorste IL the strong
est and most courageous bulls were slain
or seriously injured in the fights for the
mastery. This, in fact, very seldom hap
pens in a state OF nature. As bong as the
two competitors remain head to head II
is practically impossible for either TO in
hict death wound upon the other, In
spite OF each using all his enormous
strength to wound or overpower his OPP
ponent.
But the bull that fights and runs away
II he wishes TO live TO night another day"
must run quickly. for he Is In imminent
peril directly he exposes his ribs or flank
20 the horns Of the pursuer. At any time
the death even OF defeated animal may
be a serious detriment 10 the herd; for an
especially fine and promising young bun
might be slain In his FIRST contest Tor the
leadership, ana his good qualities lost for
ever.