310 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



iiotliing sliort of Fungi would suit the minds of the Botan- 

 ist and Microscopist. Their conclusions called to my mind 

 the story of Paddy's flea, which, when he put his finger 

 upon it, was not tiiere. Texan Fever is a misnomer, and 

 it is not known in Texas or amongst the cattle of Texas, 

 but amongst those of other States. It is even supposed by 

 many persons, Avell informed, that Texan cattle give dis- 

 ease to other cattle that subsequently graze on pastures 

 trodden by them. How ridiculous and unreasonable is 

 this theory when viewed in the light of science and common 

 sense. How can liealthy oxen, and from a healthy coun- 

 try, give or impart a disease they never had ? — cattle that 

 never were amongst others having anything infectious or 

 contagious ? — impossible ! Has it never entered into the 

 minds of Mr. Capron or Gamgee, that the droves of hungry 

 cattle on their Avay to market, from the rich, nutritious 

 mesquit grass of Texas, feed extensively upon the dried 

 tuft or Buffalo and Bermuda grasses of the States through 

 which they pass, in the latter months of summer, and 

 succeeding a good grass growing spring ? Or, if so, have 

 they ever asked themselves whether this fact has anything 

 to do with the cause of Texan Fever? This is not a 

 subject for the microscopist, but simply demands of us that 

 we look with the naked eye to things as they are — to the 

 consumption by hungry cattle of whatever o^ green or fresh 

 grass there is to be found ; leaving to the native cattle the 

 dry, innutritions, indigestible tufts, spindles and grass ! 

 This is undoubtedly the real cause of the disease, however 

 much some persons may be disposed to doubt it. The 

 Hon. John Wentworth, of Illinois, though not seeing the 

 cause of the disease, placed his cattle in a cordon, while they 

 w^ere surrounded by Texan cattle. All of them escaped 

 the disease. On the other hand^ cattle grazing on tlie 



