WINTER MANAGEMENT. 219 



dense or cold an atmosphere, the excess of oxygen with 

 which it is surcharged, if the language may be used, be- 

 comes proportionally voracious for the carbon of which it 

 preys on ; and if it meets not with an adequate supply in the 

 food, it flies to the tissues of the body. In this case the 

 equilibrium is overcome — the carbon of the food is not a 

 match for the oxygen, and the consuming fire — for thus it is 

 aptly termed — gradually wastes the system, and life sooner 

 or later terminates in the last stages of exhaustion or impov- 

 erishment. To this may be ascribed what every farmer has 

 borne witness, namely, when extreme cold occurs for a few 

 days together, during its continuance, but more particularly 

 at its subsidence, his stock, if exposed, present a lank and 

 haggard appearance ; and hence the common saying, " Cold 

 impoverishes animals." Here is the reason at hand, fur- 

 nished by science, why all animals thrive better in temperate 

 latitudes ; as also, why it is proper, if transported to colder 

 ones, the means recommended should be adopted to guard 

 against the waste incident to exposure. If the effects of 

 low temperature can thus be avoided, it follows that the equi- 

 librium will be preserved — the general organization unim- 

 paired, and thus disease will be warded off. Here too is 

 the ready explanation, why the sheep yields a heavier fleece 

 — no larger quantity of carbon being abstracted from the 

 food than is needed for respiration, having portions adequate 

 for nourishing the frame ; and thus the lacteals or absorbents 

 carry through their fructifying channels ample provision to 

 expand and increase dimensions at every point. And thus 

 too we learn, why protection, by modifying the temperature 

 of the air inhaled, sheep will consume less provender, for 

 the reason that less oxygen is imbibed, and consequently a 

 smaller portion of food will supply the requisite quantity of 

 carbon it unites with to engender animal heat through the 

 act of respiration. 



