Ru-mi-nate – verb, gerund or present principle: ruminating.

1. To think deeply about something. “we sat ruminating on the nature or existence” OR..

2. Chew the cud.

We prefer to think the bison are contemplating the nature of existence, but they could just be chewing the cud. Ruminants have different digestive systems than other mammals. Instead of one compartment to the stomach, they have four. Of the four compartments the rumen is the largest section and the main digestive center. The rumen is filled with billions of tiny microorganisms that are able to break down grass and other coarse vegetation that animals with one stomach cannot digest. So some thoughts to ponder as you digest.