130 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



sequent iipnn the combination^ as stated above, heat is evolved, ancT 

 this the arterial blood conveys to all parts of the frame, and so 

 sustains the heat of the bodj. If more food is digested than is 

 needful to sustain the required warmth, these elements, after con- 

 tributing to supply the constant waste going on in the system, 

 (and which is greatly increased by exercise,) are converted into fat 

 and suet, and stored away. To this end, also, the oily or fatty 

 portions of food (as the oil in Indian corn) contribute, and even 

 more directly; but these and the sugar, starch, &c., are so similar 

 in their constitution, that either can be, in case of necessity, substi- 

 tuted in place of the other. 



From this, we infer that animal heat, being indispensable to life, 

 must first be supported fi-om the consumption of food, which, to the 

 extent required for this purpose, may be viewed as fuel ; for the 

 animal may live without fattening or growing. When this want is 

 supplied, the balance of the food digested may supply waste and 

 contribute to growth or fatness. 



It is a well-known fact, that in cold weather, and in high latitudes 

 generally, food which is rich in carbon, as fat meat, &c., is required 

 in larger proportion than in lower latitudes or in warm weather. 

 The voyagers in arctic expeditions have required large quantities of 

 the heartiest food, tn pound or two of tallow serving one for a lunch 

 there, much as a piece of bread might do here. The Esquimaux, 

 and other natives inhabiting such latitudes, eat almost incredible 

 quantities of blubber, or other food of the fattest kind. The com- 

 bustion of fat, as fuel to sustain vitality, is farther illustrated by 

 ■what we know of the hibernation of animals. The bear, for example, 

 goes into comfortable winter quarters, with a thick fur coat outside 

 and rich stores of fat inside, becomes dormant, (for exercise would- 

 demand a supply to make good the waste caused by it, and more 

 than he can well afford, under the circumstances,) and his fat ig 

 gradually absorbed into the system, the carbon and hydrogen burned 

 in the lungs, and thus his vitality sustained. It is no figure of 

 speech to say that his lamp of life was fed during the winter with 

 (bear's) oil ; it is the literal fact. 



The question above, it will be observed, refers to srdtahle slielter. 

 This does not preclude a proper degree of ventilation, which is highly 

 necessary. Perhaps the hay- mow might not be the worse off 



