244 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



wasted away. Sometimes one of the ovaries had been suffering 

 from atrophy, and the other in such an irritable and sensitive 

 condition, that it might be almost described as inflamed; and 

 under such circumstances, the formation of a healthy ovum could 

 scarcely be expected. In other instances, the ovaries had become 

 considerably enlarged, in consequence of a fatty degeneration of 

 these organs having taken place. I have not sufficient data 

 before me, to trace these several results to their respective causes, 

 except in some of those cases in which a fatty degeneration of 

 the ovaries had taken place. 



"Through the kind help of Mr. Reece, of Ross, and Mr. Thos. 

 Duckham, of Baysham Court, near Hereford, this fatty degener- 

 ation of the ovaries has been traced to the use of food rich in 

 sugar. I have every reason to believe that the action of sugar, 

 in its various forms, is most important in its influence upon the 

 generative system; and I think there is just cause for consider- 

 ing that any animal may, by its use, be rendered incompetent 

 for propagating its species. Since my attention has been drawn 

 to this fact, numerous instances have come under my observa- 

 tion, tending to confirm this opinion. From among the cases 

 which I could mention, it will probably be sufficient for me to 

 state that of a breeder of some eminence, who, with a view to 

 an improvement in the condition of his herd, added molasses 

 to the dry food he gave to his stock. It certainly produced 

 the result he anticipated, for their improvement in appearance 

 and general condition was most satisfactory; but this was 

 accompanied by an influence he had never expected; for his 

 stock, which had always realized high prices as breeding 

 stock, now, with very few exceptions, proved to be valueless 

 for that object, male and female being alike sterile. As soon as 

 this was discovered, the supply of molasses was stopped. But 

 whilst the animals, which had not been under its influence, 

 maintained the original character of the herd, as being good 



