like sensible business men, and prepare for the
future.

"We haven't a very big variety of vegetables, and I wish we could find
some real good sweet potatoes and peas; and tomatoes would come in
handy."

"Of course, variety, or the wish for different kinds, is largely a
matter of desire. It is not a necessity."

"But does not the desire for different kinds grow out of the need of man
to get the different substances which vegetables have?"

"To a certain extent, yes; but it is a singular thing that the world
over there seems to be a natural instinct to combine two or three
vegetables, and those vegetables, although they may be different in
different countries, make chemical combinations, when eaten, which are
almost identically similar. Thus, the Irishman mixes cabbages with his
potatoes; the Englishman bacon with his beans, and the Italian rich
cheese with macaroni."

One morning the boys were surprised to find a startling increase in
their herd of yaks. When the Professor arose and went out for his
regular morning stroll he noticed the unusual number, and was not slow
in informing the boys.

"I suppose," said the Professor, "that they are coming to board with us
for the season."

"Well, I am going to inform them, in a not very polite way, that we
don't need company."

He was off with a club, Harry following.

"Look at that immense fellow. Wouldn't he make good sole leather? What
is that on his side; that funny patch?"

Harry called to the Professor. "Did you see the peculiar mark on the
side of the big bull?"

The Professor was on hand at once. "That is certainly a mark of some
kind. See if you can get near enough to ascertain just what it is."

George, who had been so anxious to get rid of them, was now just as
eager to hold them. The bull was a magnificent specimen. Like all this
species he was a dark red, and had immense horns. All yaks, male and
female, have horns, and the Texas steer has no horns to compare with the
yaks in size and gracefulness of curve.

As George advanced there was no action on the part of the herd to
scatter. Their own stock took no notice as he walked among them, and
this, in all probability, gave the wild herd confidence. The bull paid
no attention, until George was within twenty-five feet, when, with a
deep-voiced roar and an ominous lowering and shaking of his shaggy head,
made a beeline for him. The Professor called out, and he and Harry both
sprang forward to aid him, b