This animal is seldom seen in Europe, but it is a common one in Tartary, where it is a native. It is like a small ox in its size and form, and has horns and hoofs. Like the ox it is used sometimes as a beast of burden. Its colors are chiefly black and white. The hair is long and rather curly, particularly at its tail. The Chinese make ornaments out of the hair of the tails, which they dye various colors and wear them in their bonnets. The Turks and Persians use the tails as we do flags, for war-standards, which they call "horse tails." The hump on the back of the yak, like that of the bison, is formed of flesh, better flavored and more palatable than any other part of the animal. Hence it is esteemed a great delicacy, and is much prized by the natives of the countries where it is found. [Illustration] [Illustration: ZEBU.] ZEBU. The zebu is an animal of the cow kind, and a native of India, and on that account is often called the Indian ox. There are many varieties of the zebu. Some of them are as large as our largest oxen. Others when full grown are no bigger than a small calf. Its horns are short and thick, and bent a little backwards; there is also a lump on the shoulder, which makes it look clumsy. It is a very useful and docile animal. In India it is used as a common beast of burden; it is also made to draw light wagons, and is even used for riding. The Zebu is found not only in India, but in China, Eastern Africa, and the East India Islands. Figures representing the zebu are found on some of the most ancient monuments of that country. The Brahmins esteem the zebu a sacred animal; and for this reason it has received the name of the Brahmin ox. The picture below, shows several different kinds of zebus. [Illustration] [Illustration: MARMOT.] THE MARMOT. The Alpine Marmot inhabits the Alps, Pyrenees, and other high mountains immediately below the region of perpetual snow. It is about the size of a hare, of a yellowish green color, tinted with an ashen hue about the head; the upper lip is cleft and whiskered. Marmots live in families, who mutually aid each other in excavating a common dwelling,--a chamber lined with dried grass, at the end of a passage, six or eight feet, in the form of the letter Y, one of the branches serving as an entrance, the other as a sewer. During winter, the mouth is closed by earth. They feed in company, but always place a sentinel, who, on the first appearance of danger, utters a shrill cry, when the whole retreat. [Illustration] [Illustration: KOODOO.] THE KOODOO.