EABLY MATTJBITY. 131 



Here, it appears, that thirty-six years ago perfect devel- 

 opment was found at two years ; and the French scientist 

 states clearly that perfect teeth must, as a general rule, be 

 accompanied with full development of all the parts. So 

 this precocity, when it becomes established, must continue, 

 under favorable circumstances, as a permanent character- 

 istic of the animal. A study of the facts accompanying 

 early maturity shows that the animal is as completely 

 developed in all its parts as if it had been produced, under 

 the old style of feeding and management, at the end of 

 four instead of two years. This quite disproves the objec- 

 tion that all things require a certain amount of time to 

 perfect their construction and growth that whatever is ' 

 rapidly produced must be wanting in completeness and 

 perfection. 



Objectors have regarded this as a demonstration; but it 

 is merely an assumption. All the processes of digestion 

 and assimilation are chemical processes. Combustion is 

 also a chemical process ; but will any one say that the slow 

 combustion of wood by rot and decay in the open air is any 

 more perfect combustion than its rapid reduction to ashes 

 by fire ? 



In the natural state the animal gathers its coarse, fibrous 

 food by long and toilsome exertion ; and its small percent- 

 age of nutriment is assimilated into the tissues of its body. 

 But, under the best system of growing animals, the food is 

 given in a more soluble and assimilable condition, and in as 

 large quantities as the animal can digest, which can all be 

 utilized in much less time. Is it reasonable then, as a 

 matter of theory, to suppose that its digestion and assimi- 

 lation will be less perfect ? 



Our prese'nt excellent varieties of wheat are supposed 

 once to have been only wild grasses, with their thin and 

 skinny seeds. Does any one think our varieties of wheat 

 have degenerated ? 



