218 MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 



if the temperature of the substance is higher, we feel a de- 

 gree of heat from the passage of caloric into the hand. 

 Fire or heat is the derivative of caloric. It is one of those 

 singular phenomena of nature, that caloric exists in two 

 different states, the one in a free or sensible form, the other 

 in a latent or combined form. Thus two bodies may have 

 apparently the same degree of temperature, yet one contains 

 a larger quantity of caloric than the other, but from its pecu- 

 liar combination with the body, it is not sensible to the touch. 

 For instance, if sulphuric acid and water be mixed, although 

 each fluid may be before cold, a high temperature will sud- 

 denly be effected, and caloric will be evolved. 



In the process of fermentation of malt liquors, the temper- 

 ature is elevated, and carbonic acid is produced, the sub- 

 stance expired by the lungs ; indeed, whenever this is formed, 

 heat is evolved. 



Now heat is produced and supported by the chemical 

 union of two substancces, oxygen and carbon, which cause 

 combustion of wood, coal, and our candles. Carbon is the 

 fuel, not only in ordinary combination, but also in the animal 

 economy ; while oxygen may be regarded ihefire. Carbon 

 is furnished by the food, whether in man or beast, and if a 

 sufficiency is not taken in to counteract the consuming ten- 

 dency of the oxygen, a gradual waste of the system follows, 

 and life eventually ceases. Now in cold climates the air is 

 dense, and in proportion to this is the amount of oxygen in- 

 spired by the lungs, and greater waste of the system would 

 take place were it not counteracted by an increase of appe- 

 tite, and consequently more food is required, especially that 

 ■which contains within it the largest proportion of carbon. 

 Thus in the icy regions the inhabitants consume largely of 

 oily or fatty substances which consist chiefly of carbon ; 

 while those living in hot climates prefer vegetable diet. So 

 we perceive the functions of the lungs and the stomach sin- 

 gularly agree. In cold weather large fires are necessary to 

 keep up the animal warmth ; otherwise the tissues of the 

 body would be rapidly wasted by the consuming properties 

 of the oxygen. 



Without proceeding further, the above will afford a ready 

 solution of several of the positions under the head o( protec- 

 tion. It will be deduced that, if the equilibrium of the sys- 

 tem in reference to animal heat is deranged, unhealthy ac- 

 tion surely follows. If the sheep is permitted to breathe too 



