82 SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



flesh. To these substances belong asparagine and 

 ammonia. The behaviour of other members of this 

 large group has not yet been determined. 



This formation of protein only takes place to 

 any extent in the alimentary canal of the ruminants ; 

 with horses and pigs it is probably very slight, 

 in fact with the latter there may be no such changes. 



Although nitrogen-free extract substances and 

 fat do not take a direct part in the formation of 

 flesh, they have an important influence on the de- 

 composition of the food protein, for they are able 

 to decrease decomposition of this material, and so 

 a larger proportion is free to form body protein 

 (flesh and milk). 



(ft) Fat can be formed in the body either from 

 the fat of the food or from nitrogen-free extract 

 substances and crude fibre. 



(g) The utilisation of complete foods. 



In accordance with the foregoing statements, 

 ruminants are able to form the following quantities 

 of fat from digested food materials (if they are 

 added in pure, finely divided form to a maintenance 

 ration). 



From i kg. protein ^ 235 gr. fat 



,, i kg. starch and crude fibre . 248 gr. ,, 



i kg. cane sugar . . . 188 gr. ,, 



.. i kg. fat . . . . 474~59 8 g r - 



