MISCELLANEA. 
55 
therefore repeat, the Memorial of itself, as a composition and a 
reply to all present inquiries, is capital — undeniable : only, should 
any further remonstrance on the part of the Council be required, 
we should like to be informed whence the materials for its compo- 
sition are to be derived, and in what its paramount force over the 
former Memorial is to consist. 
MISCELLANEA. 
Feeding of Animals. 
The identity of composition and properties which seems to exist 
between certain substances derived from the animal and vegetable 
kingdom leads naturally to the notion, that animals do not origin- 
ate the substances which enter into their organization, but that 
they find them already formed in their food. Whence we must 
conclude that many vegetable principles are assimilated directly by 
herbivorous animals, without being subjected to any great modifi- 
cation ; and that the elements of animal fluids and tissues pre-exist 
in vegetables, which contain, besides, the earthy phosphates which 
form the base of bone. The food of herbivorous animals must then 
always, and in fact does always, contain four essential principles 
which by their union constitute their normal nutriment, viz. : — 
1. An azotized substance, such as albumen, caseine, or gluten ; this 
is probably the origin of flesh. 2. An oily matter, or at least one 
approaching to the nature of fat. 3. Some substance of a ternary 
composition, as sugar, gum, or starch. 4. Salts, especially phos- 
phates of lime, magnesia, or iron. This complication of elements, 
which must necessarily enter into the composition of a plant fit for 
fodder, justifies the general notions put forth by Dr. Prout on the 
subject of nutriment. This able chemist shewed milk to be the 
normal nutritious substance, and that any proper system of food 
must partake more or less of its constituent qualities ; that is, that 
it must contain, independently of phosphates, some azotized sub- 
stance, an unazotized principle, and a fatty substance to replace the 
caseine, sugar, and butter. The fundamental principle — that ani- 
mals find their proper substance already formed in the food by 
which they are nourished — may enlighten the practical man in the 
feeding of herbivorous animals ; for, if the flesh, the fat, and bones 
exist, at least in essence, ready formed in their food, that must 
