AN ESSAY ON FAT AND MUSCLE. 
598 
a secondary effect, following the perfect evolution of the papillae ; 
but I doubt much if the muscles ever act in this manner, seeing 
there is a sufficient number of more powerful ones to perform it. 
[To be continued.] 
AN ESSAY ON FAT AND MUSCLE. 
By Mr. W. F. KARKEEK, Veterinary Surgeon , Truro. 
The object of this essay is to endeavour to explain “ the causes 
that appear to determine the production of fat and muscle re- 
spectively, according to the present state of our knowledge of 
animal physiology.” Formerly the study of the uses and func 
tions of the different organs, and of their mutual connexion in 
the animal body, was the chief object of physiological research ; 
but, although they yielded the most valuable results in relation to 
the recognition of dissimilar forms and conditions to be found in 
healthy and diseased structures, they afforded no conclusions 
calculated to give us a more extensive insight into “ the essence 
of the vital processes.” The recent alliance of chemistry with 
physiology has furnished most valuable data both in this respect 
and as regards the nutritiveness of particular vegetables in the feed- 
ing of our domesticated animals. The most important discoveries 
in this branch of science are those of Professor Liebig, he being 
admitted by the unanimous voice of European chemists to be the 
first living authority on Organic Chemistry. Professor Playfair 
was the first English chemist who attempted to apply those dis- 
coveries to the practical purposes of the farmer — holding up the 
torch of science, as it were, to the agriculturalists, and teaching 
them the advantages to be derived from the union of practice with 
science. It will be seen, in the course of this essay, that we 
have adopted many of the physiological views of Professor Liebig: 
and, if we have succeeded in adding but one useful fact to the mass 
of knowledge already acquired, and which may be advantageously 
put into practice in the ordinary operations of a farm, our object 
will be sufficiently realised. 
Your attention will first be directed to some of the phenomena 
connected with nutrition and growth. When we consider that 
