258 
The Applications of Fhijsiologij 
animals mentioned by Mr. Youatt. Now the pig has also smaller 
lungs. The order of smallness of lungs is therefore as follows : — 
pig, sheep, ox, and horse : a)id the order of their aptitude to fatten 
is the same. For this hist forcible remark I am indebted to Earl 
Spencer. Now, let us take two well-marked breeds, and com- 
pare them. The Leicester breed of sheep have round, broad, 
and capacious chests ; while the South Downs have, comparatively 
speaking, narrow shoulders and breasts. But an inspection at 
the butcher's shop shows that tlie lungs of the Leicester breed 
are small, firm, and compact in their texture ; while the lungs of 
South Downs are larger and (hoarser. My attention to these two 
breeds was directed by Mr. Morton ; and I have since found that 
butchers generally affirm the same fact with respect to the dif- 
ferent size of their lungs. Here is another example that broad 
chests do not necessarily indicate large lungs : the very habits 
of these breeds show this. The Leicester sheep cannot inflate 
its lungs like the South Down, and soon pants for want of 
breath. Through the kindness of Earl Ducie there is now in 
progress an extensive series of experiments, in which the lungs, 
heart, and liver of animals of the same and of different breeds 
are weighed, and compared with the weight and appearance of 
the carcase. The result of these will either confirm the truth or 
prove the inaccuracy of this view. 
1 have visited very many butchers, and, without any explana- 
tion, put to them this simple question, " Are the lights and liver 
of very fat cattle large or small?" and the uniform answer was, 
" Very fat cattle have always small lights and small livers." 
I trust these statements will induce you to follow me in this 
view, without prejudice because the doctrine is new. 
Every farmer is aware that certain breeds of animals have a 
more early maturity than others. The short-horned cattle acquire 
a greater weight, with a far less consumption of food, than the 
hmg-horns. I must beg not to be misunderstood in my remarks 
upon the various breeds. Not being practically acquainted with 
them, I have always followed the best authorities who honoured 
me by furnishing the results of their experience. But on a sub- 
ject in which all our enthusiasm, and sometimes our prejudices, 
are enlisted, I may be so unfortunate as to give offence, even 
when I suppose myself on firm ground. The opinion of one who 
has but lately turned his attention to this subject is not likely to 
be a causa belli ; but to avoid it, I beg distinctly to state that I 
do not in my allusions refer to any particular breed as at present 
existing, but to the aboriginal breeds, the merits of which are a 
matter of history. The Chinese pig acquires fat more quickly 
than the Irish. The farmer knows further that there are great 
differences in the aptitude to fatten even in animals of the same 
