THE OX. 149

spot on the forehead; the figure of an eagle, or some say 8
crescent, on the back, the hairs of the tail double, and an
excrescence under the tongue in the form of a beetle. Years
sometimes elapsed before an animal answering this descrip-
tion could be found to supply the place of one which had
died; but when discovered, it was conducted with great re-
joicings to the temple of Osiris. This worship retained a
strong hold on the fancy and affection of the people of Israel,
for amongst other instances, it will be recollected that many
centuries after the Exodus, king Jeroboam induced them to
worship the golden calves which he (who had resided in
Egypt) set up in Dan and Bethel; .but before condemning
them it ought to be remembered that they were surrounded
by idolatrous nations, and had no example of the worship
which was required from them by Moses.

Cattle were amongst the animals used as food by the
Israelites, as they possessed both the peculiarities mentioned
in the commands of Moses; they were also extensively em-
ployed in sacrifice, and are mentioned in almost numberless
cases as offerings at the altar. ‘ Young bullocks,” “ oxen,”
and “calves,” are words of constant occurrence in connection
with the services of the temple, and Solomon is said to have
offered “two-and-twenty thousand oxen,” besides sheep, at