44 ELEMENTARY TREATISE ON STOCK FEEDS AND FEEDING 



9. Assimilation. — This step is undertaken by the tissue-cells 

 themselves, selecting from the blood, or lymph, the nutritive 

 elements required for their maintenance and development. 



10. Defecation. — This final step refers to the casting ofif from 

 the body, in the form of excrementitious matter (manure), the 

 inert indigestible parts of the food. Besides containing the un- 

 digested food, small portions of the residues of the juices em- 

 ployed in digestion and other waste matters are present. 



Suggestion: Require the students to make a schematic draw- 

 ing showing the passage of the food, the ferments and their 

 properties, and the absorption of the nutrients, in the ruminant. 



