460 On the Composition of Oxen, Shcq), and Pif/s, 
The percentage of dry nitrogenous substance is in every case 
greater, and that of the fat very much less, in the collective offal 
than in the collective carcass parts. A very large proportion of 
the nitrogenous substance of the offal — in some cases nearly half — 
is due to the pelt and hair, or wool. Of the remainder, perhaps, 
on the average, only about as much will be used as human food 
as will not be consumed of the nitrogenous substance of the bones 
of the carcass. 
With the larger percentage of nitrogenous substance and the 
less percentage of fat, the collective offal parts have invariably a 
less percentage of total dry substance, and therefore a larger pro- 
portion of water, than the collective carcass parts. 
Composition of the Entire Bodies. 
It is, of course, the composition of the entire bodies of the 
fattened animals which represents that of the gross product of 
the feeding process. It is this, therefore, that is of the most 
interest to the Farmfer ; and it is this which has to be considered 
in relation to the constituents of food expended in its production. 
Table XII. shows the percentage oV^mineral matter, of dry nitro- 
genous compounds, of fat, of total dry substance, and of tvater, in 
the entire body of each of the ten animals analysed. It at the 
same time shows how much of the total amount of each consti- 
tuent was contained in the carcass, and how much in the offal parts. 
The Mineral Matter. — There is a marked diminution in the 
percentage of mineral matter in the entire body as the animal 
matures. 
It may be judged from the figures that from 3i to 4 per cent, 
(according to breed and condition) of the^fasted live-weight of 
fattened calves and oxen will be mineral matter. Excluding the 
adventitious matter of the wool, the propf)rtion of mineral matter 
in fattened lambs and sliecj) would pr<)ba))]y be often as little as 2^, 
and seldom more than 3 per cent. In pzV/s the proportion of 
mineral matter is still less. In a well-fattened pig of good breed 
it may amount to only li- per cent., or even less, of its standing 
live-weight. In a young ?<7?fattened pig there were found 2 67 
per cent, of mineral matter ; but in an animal of worse breed, or 
in a leaner condition still, it may be judged that there might be 
3 per cent. 
As an average estimate of the mineral matter in store animals 
sold off or brought on the farm, we should be disposed to adopt 
4^ to 5 per cent, of the live-weight of oxen, 3 to 3i per cent, for 
sheep, and 2^ to 3 per cent, for pigs. 
As a general average estimate, it may be assumed that 35 to 
40 per cent, of the mineral matter of the entire bodies will be 
phosphoric acid, and 5 to 6 per cent, potash. 
