124 W. M. Wallace, W. B. Weil and A. Taylor 



protein, high electrolyte group. This is significant at the 1 per 

 cent level. 



The protein to ash ratios shown in Fig. 1 and evident in 

 Fig. 2 indicate the main significance for body composition 

 resulting from diets of variable protein and electrolyte content. 

 The high-protein-fed animals have more protein in relation to 



PROT. ASH IjA K l^o Q< 



300 



200 



g./litre HjO 



m-equiv./ioog.Prot. + Ash. 



Fig. 3. Diagrammatic representation on the left is of the ash 

 and protein content calculated on a kilogram of water basis. 

 On the right the individual elements composing the ash and 

 their relationship to the sum of protein plus ash (fat-free dry 

 weight) are shown. 



ash than do the low-protein-fed animals. Since bone contri- 

 butes 90 per cent of the ash, the ratios represent the soft tissue 

 to bone proportions in a very general yet valid way. It seems 

 evident that only on a high protein intake can the growing 

 body lay down maximal bony tissue. In the Friskie group 

 where the ash of the intake is very high and composed 

 chiefly of calcium salts, an even greater accumulation of ash 



