12 eiyEmbntary treatise on stock feeds and feeding 



Water in Animals. — There is considerable water in the animal 

 body. It is present in the blood, tissues, and digestive juices 

 and secretions. About 80 per cent, of the blood is water; the 

 per cent, of water in the tissues and digestive fluids varies 

 according to their nature and in species. 



The following data are the results of investigations by Lawes 

 and Gilbert and the Maine Experiment Station. 



Water 



Per cen'. 



Fat calf 63.0 



Half-fat ox 51-5 



Fat ox 45-5 



Steer half fat, 17 months old 56.3 



Steer half fat, 17 months old 59-o 



Steer fat, 27 months old 52.2 



Steer fat, 27 months old 51.9 



Fat lamb 47-8 



Sheep lean 57.3 



Half-fat old sheep 50.2 



Fat sheep 43.4 



Extra fat sheep 35.2 



Lean pig 55. i 



Fat pig 41.3 



From the above data we can see there is a wide variation in 

 the water of animals, and that the per cent, of water is always 

 large. The fat calf contains 63 per cent, of water while in the 

 extra fat sheep the water is as low as 35.2 per cent. It is shown 

 that the water content decreases with age; the fat calf contains 

 17.5, per cent, more water than the fat ox. The per cent, of 

 water varies with species; the pig generally contains less water 

 than sheep and cattle. The degree of fatness also influences 

 the amount of water in the animal body; the fat ox and the fat 

 sheep contain much less water than the half-fat ox and sheep. 

 It may be safely said that about 50 per cent, of the body of the 

 animal is made up of water. 



Suggestion: Take one pound of green grass and dry it in 

 the sun or . else take some sliced potatoes and dry them below 

 212 degrees Fahrenheit and ascertain the loss in weight. What 

 is the loss in weight due to? 



