222 [Assembly 



grains for bread, we owe onr present advanced condition of so- 

 ciety ; before its introduction, whole districts of country were 

 only used for pasturage and hunting grounds ; and there was no 

 such thing known as territorial division of lauded property. 

 The invention of bread was ascribed by the Greeks to Pan, but 

 like most arts of early times, its invention is involved in obscu- 

 rity. The Egyptians were acquainted with bread at a much more 

 remote period. 



It is mentioned in the Bible, in the days of father Abraham : 

 ^' And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, make 

 ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make 

 cakes upon the hearth." Bread, like all farinaceous matter is 

 exceedingly nourishing, particularly on account of the gluten it 

 contains, if not eaten too frequently when fresh, in that state it 

 is apt to produce acidity, derange the stomach, and lay the foun- 

 dation for dyspeptic diseases. There are various other articles 

 used for bread besides cereals, too numerous to mention. " By 

 boiling grinding and drying, Dr. Davison says, the tops and bark 

 of gooseberry bushes, holly and hawthorn, the inner bark of the 

 elm, roots of fern, and sundry other plants, may be converted 

 into wholesome food." Subject, milk as food, should form a por- 

 tion of this, but as it was discussed fully at the last meeting of 

 the club, I will not allude to it. 



IMPORTED CATTLE. 



A. Chandler, Esq., 



Sir — Having, at the show of the American Institute, in Octo- 

 ber, 1850, exhibited the imported short horn bull. Earl of Sea- 

 ham, and with him won the first prize in the oldest class of short- 

 horn bulls, I deem it proper to give some account of him and 

 his family, and of the short-horn cattle which, in the last two 

 years I have imported for Colonel Sherwood and myself. 



The propriety of placing on record the history of animals, 

 ■which the Institute has deemed worthy of its premiums and hon- 



