318 ^of>d' 



kernel t>f the oat contains nutritious principles, and that when 

 o-round it mav become digested and contribute to the nourishment of 

 the animal. But, if this could be proved positively to be the case 

 yet it would by no means disprove the facts which have been stated, 

 respecting the voiding of oats whole by Horses, which have escaped 

 being crushed by the teeth, for, the skin df th-e kernel may be 

 digestible, although the husk certainly is «ot. A«d as we know that 

 even si!*ch nutritive substances as are readily acted upon by the gastric 

 juice, are digested tlie more leasily for being in a state of cpmrainu- 

 tioTi, it follows, of course, that it must be a great desideratum to 

 reduce into small particles, such as are not readily converted into 

 diywie, by the power of this fluid. 



vi'Thfe same Philosopher has also suggested that certain combinations 

 '0f nutritive substances may prove more nourishing than others ; an 

 opinion which it is impossible to disprove. A«d he has adduced a 

 fact, apparently in support of this notion, communicated to him by 

 Sir J^eph Banks, viz. that tfee Derbyshire Miners prefer oaten 

 cakes to wheaten bread, in winter, finding that this kind of nourish- 

 iftGttt enables them to support their strength and perform their labour 

 bettev. ^He adds, that in summer they say oat cake heats them, and 

 tliey then consume the finest wheaten bread they can procure. 



Now though I cannot pei'suade myself that oats are in any case 

 so nutritious as wheat to the human frame, (but -with such exceptions- 

 asapply to all general rules,) yet it is with the greatest diffidence, lest 

 Imay possibly be accused of presumption, that I venture to differ 

 from such high authority, by endeavouring to account for this cu- 

 rious fact upon other principles. For, according to my conception 

 of the case^ this fact, communicated by Sir Joseph Banks, is meant 



