BOOK XI, Lxxxv. 2I2-LXXXVII. 215 



and those that have pastern-bones in the feet put 

 on fat in the form of suet, but in those with cloven 

 hooves or feet divided into toes, and without horns, 

 it forms grease. This is of a solid substance and 

 when it has cooled ofF can be broken up, and it is 

 always where the flesh ends ; whereas fat is between 

 the flesh and the skin, and is moist and fluid. Some 

 animals, for instance the hare and the partridge, do 

 not grow fat. All fat animals are more hable to 

 barrenness, in the case of both males and females ; 

 also excessively fat ones get old more quickly. All 

 animals have some fat in the eyes. In all cases the 

 greasy fat has no sensation, because it does not possess 

 arteries or veins ; and in most animals also fatness of 

 condition causes insensitiveness, and it is recorded 

 that because of this pigs have been gnawed by mice 

 while still aHve. It is also on record that the son of 

 the consular Lucius Apronius had his fat removed 

 by an operation and relieved his body of unmanage- 

 able weight. 



LXXXVI. Marrow also appears to consist of the Marrow. 

 same substance, being of a red colour in youth and 

 turning white in old age. It is only found in hollow 

 bones, and there is none in the legs of oxen or dogs, 

 in consequence of which when they are fractured the 

 bone does not join again, this being caused by the 

 flow of marrow from a fracture. But the marrow 

 is fat in the animals that contain lard, suety in those 

 with horns, sinewy and only Di'esent in the spine 

 in those without bones, hke the fish kind ; and bears 

 have none, and the hon a rather small amount 

 in a few of the bones of the thighs, and forelegs, 

 while the other bones are so hard that fire can be 

 struck from tliem as from a flint. LXXXVII. Also Thebones. 



567 



