GROWTH, DECAY, AND DEATH 739 



head of the foal is prominent over the brain and depressed over 

 the nasal bones. The hair is fully developed but woolly, that 

 of the mane being scanty and of the tail curly, while the colour 

 of the body-hair is light of its kind. A similar deficiency of 

 pigment is observed in the iris. 



Table showing the Length of the Bones of the Limbs of the 

 Foal and Adult Horse. 



The rate at which the foal increases in weight, and other 

 circumstances connected with its nutrition, were made the 

 subject of inquiry by Boussingault.* He found that the mean 

 weight at birth was 51 kilogrammes (112 pounds), that during 

 the first three months the daily increase in weight was 1 kilo- 

 gramme (2-2 pounds), from three up to six months the increase 

 was 0*6 kilogramme (1-3 pounds), and from six months up to 

 three years of age the increase was at the rate of 0-32 kilogramme 

 (07 pound) per diem. The influence of feeding on development 

 is most remarkable. Not only does the body increase in size 

 and weight, but the animal presents the appearance of the adult, 

 so that a thoroughbred at two years old is ' furnished ' and 

 looks as old as an ordinary horse at four years old. Calves, 

 according to Torcy,* have a mean weight at birth of 35 kilo- 

 grammes (77 pounds), the daily increase during the first two 

 years being 07 kilogramme (1-5 pounds). With sheep the daily 

 increase in weight is more rapid. A lamb will in ten days gain 

 50 per cent, on its original weight, will double its weight 

 at the end of the first month, and treble it at the end 

 of the second. Swine present, however, the most rapid 

 increase in weight, for, according to the authorities quoted, a 

 pig will increase 20 per cent, in its weight per diem during the 



* Quoted by Colin. 



