44 ELEMENTARY TREATISE ON STOCK FEEDS AND FEEDING 



9. Assimilation. This step is undertaken by the tissue-cells 

 themselves, selecting from the blood, or lymph, the nutritive 

 elements required for their maintenance and development. 



10. Defecation. This final step refers to the casting off from 

 the body, in the form of excrementitious matter (manure), the 

 inert indigestible parts of the food. Besides containing the un- 

 digested food, small portions of the residues of the juices em- 

 ployed in digestion and other waste matters are present. 



Suggestion: Require the students to make a schematic draw- 

 ing showing the passage of the food, the ferments and their 

 properties, and the absorption of the nutrients, in the ruminant. 



