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its advancement, as agriculture. If the farmer's crops are threatened 

 by insects, zoology will throw light upon their nature and habits, and 

 teach him how to destroy them. If he would know what varieties of 

 domestic animals may be most advantageously raised for any par- 

 ticular purpose, or how certain quahties may be obtained by cross- 

 breeding, zoological knowledge will afford him important aid. It is 

 true that many useful results have been obtained by mere accident, 

 and pursued apart from all considerations of the why and wherefore ; 

 but it is no less true, that we know not half of the nature of any such 

 discovery, until we understand the principles on which it rests, and 

 can apply them, inteUigently, to analogous cases. 



When we consider the loss of stock which the farmers annually 

 sustain in this country, to an amount which would seem incredi- 

 ble, and the feeble efforts made to diminish it, the importance of this 

 step may be admitted by this class of persons particularly, and by 

 the community at large, especially, Avhen it is also considered into 

 what hands the treatment of most of the diseased animals has been 

 committed. We have, in many parts of the country, agricultural 

 societies for the collection and diffusion of agricultural knowledge ; 

 and it is advancing, with giant strides, under the powerful influence 

 of chemical and geological studies. Let us hope that the incul- 

 cation of the humane treatment of the inferior animals, may not be 

 considered as beneath the notice of these institutions. Mr. Youatt, 

 an excellent authority, states, in his introduction to his book on cattle, 

 that Great Britain contains a million and a half of horses, and over 

 eight millions of cattle ; and that his statements are deductions from 

 statistical facts. We suppose that our own country contains almost 

 as many. 



Is it not, then, remarkable that so long a time has been allowed to 

 elapse without an effort being made to preserve and secure the pos- 

 session of so much of the wealth of the country ? The owner of 

 valuable animals at the extreme point of danger from disease, has not 

 thought it worth while to call in the best medical aid, thinking 

 animals would get Avell without a doctor. But, of a sudden, he 



begins to be alarmed ; and he sends his messenger to tell Mr. 



to come directly. Mr. comes ; and by his skill and attention 



the animal is saved and restored to health. This is gratifying to the 

 owner and to the doctor ; and many flattering things are said to the 

 doctor, and it would be supposed a lasting impression has been made. 



