Kansas University Weekly.
155
How a Cow Lies Down.
It is difficult to describe the movements a cow makes in lying down. Her actions in putting herself into a reclining position are not so graceful nor is her manner so awkward, as to attract the attention of the average observer.
A cow lies down slowly, easily, and carefully, but not in a way which would indicate that she is afraid of hurting herself. She first gets down on the knees of her fore legs. If she intends to lie on her right side the right knee touches the ground first and vice versa. While on her knees she walks up under herself, as it were, with her hind feet, until she has established the proper equilibrium, and then she lets the back part of her body down, gradually, until it has almost reached the ground, when she relaxes the muscles of her hind legs, and drops the rest of the way, striking the earth with a dull thud.
The cow is now in about the same position a cat assumes when it is enjoying the warmth of the winter fire; as she does not rest well for any length of time in this position, she rolls over gently on her side, with her front legs doubled up under her, heaves a sigh of contentment, and begins chewing the cud.
H. P. B.
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Preparatory to writing his description of "How a cow lies down," a member of the class in English composition visited a pasture not far from the city limits to secure information on the subject by personal observation. A small herd of cattle were gathered on a sunny slope at the farther end of the pasture. Some of the cattle were standing, others lying down and all lazily ruminating their morning meal. H—— could not have found a better opportunity for making his observations.
In order that the cattle might not be disturbed by his presence, he approached them from behind the slope on which they were gathered, and took a position without being noticed, at the base of a large tree above them. Thus comfortably seated with his back against the tree, and pencil and note-book
ready he waited patiently until some of the cows which remained standing should lie down.
He had not taken his usual after-dinner nap. This with the somniferous influence of the surroundings made him feel drowsy and caused him to forget the object of his visit to the pasture. Dreamily his attention wandered from one thing to another. He did not appear to be an observer, but a part of the whole scene himself like the lazy cattle, motionless trees, the hazy houses and the sluggish clouds-basking in the warm, penetrating afternoon sun.
A deep bellowing aroused him from the lethargy into which he had fallen. An enormous bull, the lord of the herd, was giving warning to the other cattle that an intruder was near. On discovering H——the entire herd became possessed with a strange, uncontrollable fury. The cattle advanced toward him tearing the earth with their horns and feet and bellowing angrily.
Such demonstrations from domesticated animals surprised him. He realized that he was in a dangerous situation. He tried to jump up but his limbs seemed as if paralyzed and would not respond to his frantic efforts. The cattle advanced closer. He could hear the clashing of horns and the trampling of feet. Soon a circle of gleaming eyes and a forest of horns surrounded him. He felt the hot breath of the maddened animals upon his cheeks, then making a last spasmodic effort he—awoke!
A quarter of a mile away a farmer boy was driving the cattle to their sheds for the night. The air was cold and the sky cloudy but H shivered more from the effects of his horrible dream than from the cold. His watch indicated a late hour and he returned home wondering as he went how a cow lies down.
W. H. M.
The literary tone of the Literary Departments of many of our western exchanges has been greatly improved in the past few weeks. This is probably due to the bright, bracing sunny spring days.