248 Anatomy and Physiology of the 



As these two ingredients, nitrogen and oil, represent in Mr. Way's 

 opinion the feeding properties of cake, science appears to confirm 

 the experiment, and T cannot but hope that it may be useful to 

 farmers, as justifying a saving of some considerable amount in 

 preparing their sheep for market. I will only add, that though 

 the use of rapecake as food has had no bad consequence with 

 nearly 500 sheep of my own, I hope that any one who is disposed 

 to give it a trial, will do so gradually and with caution, lest any 

 unforeseen injury be the consequence. 

 Pusey, May 21, 1849. 



XIV. — A Lecture on the Anatomy and Physiology of the Ma- 

 ternal Organs of Reproduction in Animals, icith the Principles of 

 Practice applicable to Cases of Difficult and Preternatural 

 Labour, more especially in the Cow and Eice. By James 

 Beart Simonds, Lecturer on Cattle Pathology of the Royal 

 Veterinary College, London ; Honorary Member of the Royal 

 Agricultural Society, &c. 



My Lord Duke and Gentlemen, — On an occasion like the 

 present, knowing that so many and important matters require your 

 attention, I shall not presume to intrude unnecessarily upon your 

 time by the introduction of remarks which are purely of a prefa- 

 tory nature. It is, therefore, my intention to proceed forthwith to 

 the consideration of the subject which has been selected for this 

 lecture, namely, the general structure and function of the organs 

 of reproduction in the cow and ewe, and the rules or principles 

 which should guide us in cases of preternatural parturition. As 

 the latter is that which chiefly interests you as men of practice, so 

 it will receive from me the fullest description ; but it is of equal 

 importance that I should explain the construction of those parts 

 in the female which are specially employed in the act of parturi- 

 tion. It fortunately happens that no argument is needed to show 

 to either the scientific or practical breeder, or to those more im- 

 mediately connected with the feeding and rearing of our native 

 breeds of cattle, the necessity of such investigation. It is a matter 

 which may be said to come home to all, being intimately identified 

 with our agricultural, and therefore with our national, prosperity. 

 As Englishmen we may well be proud of our improved cattle and 

 sheep, which are at once the boast of Britain and the envy of the 

 world. But we might ask, how frequently are the hopes of the 

 breeder disappointed, and his endeavours to improve a race of 

 cattle rendered fruitless, by the casualties attending upon their 

 birth ? In such a dilemma science stands waiting, and offers 

 a ready hand to guide him through difficulties and overcome 



