Because, having no threads to moor themselves, as the mussels have, they dig out with their tongues a shelter for themselves in the sand.
1088. Why do oxen, sheep, deer, &c., ruminate?
Because they have no front teeth in the upper jaw, the place of which is occupied by a hardened gum. The first process, therefore, consists simply of cropping their food, which is passed into the paunch, to be brought up again and ground by the back teeth when the cropping process is over.
Because, in a wild state, they are constantly exposed to the attacks of carnivorous beasts, and as the mastication of the large amount of vegetable food required for their sustenance would take a considerable time, they are provided with stomachs, by which they are enabled to fill their paunches quickly, and then, retiring to a place of safety, they bring their food up again, and chew it at leisure.
"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."—Proverbs xii.
1089. Why can ruminating animals recover the food from their paunches?
Because they have a voluntary power over the muscles of the throat, by which they can bring up the food at will.
1090. Why can they keep the unchewed food in the paunch, from the "cud" they have chewed for nourishment?