378 INFLUENCES OF 



fields where cattle have been feeding, patches of 

 herbage left here and there untouched : much of 

 this originates from the manure of the animals, 

 which has rendered the grass springing up around 

 it rank, and it becomes in consequence rejected ; 

 but besides this, we shall see, in several places, 

 portions of herbage apparently good, and similar in 

 growth with that which has been closely eaten 

 down in the field, not arising from any visible 

 accessory matter, yet still unconsumed : and, in all 

 probability, the soil in those places is differently 

 compounded from other parts of the pasture, com- 

 municating some flavour disagreeable to the animal, 

 and it becomes rejected as long as grateful food is 

 obtainable ; yet probably no investigation of the 

 soil or produce would manifest this, but that some- 

 thing generally distasteful does exist, is obvious by 

 the various creatures rejecting it, consuming to a 

 certain verge, and then proceeding forwards. My 

 sheep again eat, with a marked preference, the 

 dark-coloured grass springing up from those circles 

 and semi-circles we frequently see in the dry pas- 

 tures, called " Fairy rings ;" manifesting that it 

 possesses an agreeable flavour, derived immediately 

 from the soil, or communicated by atmospheric in- 

 fluence. The edges of pathways are favourite feed- 

 ing-grounds for several creatures ; but this indeed 

 originates from the nature of the grass which vege- 

 tates in those places, trampling of the feet keeping 

 down the coarser herbage, fining the better sorts, 

 and especially promoting the growth of the annual 



