100 
FIRST CLASS OF THE VERTEBRATED ANIMALS. 
it may be interesting to compare his results with those already given of the Swedish 
investigator. 
Can eat . . . 
Is very fond of . 
Sometimes eats . 
Takes in all ... 
Refuses .... 
Total Plants examined . 
Many plants arc wholly refused by all animals. Among the principal of these 
growing in marshy places we may notice the following : The Common Butterwort 
{Pinguicula vulguris')^ Common-hooded Milfoil {Utricularia vtdgaris)^ Forget-rac- 
Not (^Mtjosotis paln^trii{)i Perfoliate Pond-Weed (^Potamogeton perfoUatvm), 
Loiig-leavod Cowhane {Cicr/ta riVosa), the Long-leaved Sun-Dew (Drosera longt- 
folia')f the Round-leaved Sun-Dew (^D. roiii7idifoIia)y Watcr-Pejiper {Polggonurn 
Ifgdropiper')f Sweetflag {Acorus cala7nus), Vinter CroTxfoot^RanvncuJusaquatilis), 
Giuat Spearwort (R. Hngva)i and Water Milfoil (Mgriophgllttm spicatum). 
There are several other plants which either grow in somewhat moist pastures or in 
the shade, and are likewise refused by all cattle. These are the Common Thorn- 
apple (Datura Stra7nonium), Common Henbane (’Ilgoncgamus rn^er), Black-berried 
Nightshade (Solanum nigruin)^ Dwarf-Elder (Samhucus Ebulus)^ Mountain Dryas 
(Drgas octopetala)^ Black Horehound ('Ballota nigra). Common \Miite Horehound 
(Marrubium imlgare), Inniatient Lady’s Smock (Cankimhte impatie7ts). Common 
Celandine (ChelidoTiiitm majus), and the Blue Erigeron (Eidgeron acre). It must 
be noticed, however, that many of these plants, when very young, are sometimes 
cropped by the cattle without inconvenience, while some even of the most nutritious 
plants are refused when in grain, from their perfume being too strongly diffused. 
After the animals have endured a long continued fast, their discrimination in these 
respects is noi so nice ; and the climate may occasion some further differences. Thus, 
the young sprouts of the Wolf’s- Bane and Hemlock become esculent even for Wan 
in the North of Europe, where their deleterious properties arc not sufficiently developed 
to become hurtful. 
Some plants are often eaten by the cattle while green and fresh, and yet are gene- 
rally refused by them if offered in a dry or faded state. These arc Cock’s-Comb 
(Rhinajithus criata-galli), the Horse-Tails (Equisetum), the Bodstravvs (Galium ) — 
which spoil the Hay, and the Common Buckbean (Mefiganilws trifo/iatu) ; while 
others, such as the Crowfoots (Ranvnc7ilHs), and Swallow- Worts (Asclepias), lose 
their injurious properties when dried, and in that state arc eaten by the cattle with- 
out inconvenience. Others serve as seasoning, such as the Garlics (Allium), and 
the Docks (Ruinex), either of which may be used occasionally as a stimulant or cor- 
rective; while the Cotton-Grasses (Eriophoruin), and some others, become hurtful 
from thoir hairs, which serve as a nucleus to those dangerous mgagropiles or concre- 
tions, sometimes found in the first stomach of the domestic Ruminants. 
There are also a great number of plants eaten without inconvenience by the Goat, 
and even greedily sought after by that animal, while they are refused by all other 
cattle. The principal arc the Common Mare’s-tail (Hippvris vulga7'iH), Common 
Prickly-Seed (Echinospem^um Xn/i/Jw/a), the Greater Water- Plantain (Alisma 
Plantago) — highly detrimental to all other domestic animals, the Wood Anemone 
(Anemone nemoraUs), that of the meadows (/L pratenxis)., the Spring Anemone 
(A. vernalis). Celery- leaved Crowfoot (Ran7(nculins scehratus). the Knotty-rooted 
Kigwort (Scrophulnria nodosa), and Taraepoison (Asvlfqnasvincetoxicum), of which 
it is extremely fond. The last mentioned plant can be eaten by the Horae, only after 
it has been killed by the frost. To these we may add, the Small Water- Wort 
(ELuine Hgdropiper), Box-leaved Anilromeda (Andromeda cahjculata). Biting 
Stonecrop (Serfum acre), Snapdragron (Ayitirrhinuiji li-nariu). Stinking Camomile 
(Anihemis cotula), Black-berricd Bryony (Urgonia alba), IMarsh Lousewort (Pedi- 
cularis paluslris), that of the woods (P. sylvatica). Hemp Agrimony (Eupatoi ium 
cannabiniim), the Annual IMercury (Mercurialis ainiua), which is poisonous to all 
other animals, according to R.iy and Linntcus, the Corn Horsetail (Eqtnsetuin err- 
veTise), that of the marshes (E. pulvsirc), and tlic Male Polypody (Polgpodiuiii Jilix 
7)ias). 
Sorao plants are eaten solely by the Hog, and it is often only their roots that arc 
sought after. The chief of these plants are the Common Cyclamen (C. Europivnm, 
Common Asarabacca (Asnnan Europauin), the White Water Lily (Ny77iph(m alba), 
and the yellow (S. lutea), for which the Horse exhibits a marked aversion, the 
W'ator Soldier (SUaiiotes ahides). Sea Wrack-Grass (Zostera marina), and Maid- 
en Hair (Asplenhini trichomattes). 
A few plants aro very much sought after by all cattle, and almost with equal avidity. 
These are the Caramon Millet-Grass (Mi/lhan ef^ttsum). Meadow Soft-Grass (ITol~ 
cus lanatus), Annual Meadow-Grass (Poa a7muaj. Oats, Barley, and Wheat, the 
Carrot and Parsnip, the Great Round-leaved Willow (Salix caprea), the Norwegian 
Cinquefoil (Poienlilla l>!orvegicaJ. Also, the Creeping Trefoil, the Common Lu- 
cerne, and Sainfoin. But many of these plants must be in different states, in order 
to be liked equally by the several species of cattle. 
On considering the entire vegetable kingdom in a general manner, we find that 
scarcely any Acotyledonous plants are fitted for the maintenance of cattle. In- 
deed, if we exclude the Grasses, nearly all of which may be used for this purpose, 
we find but few even among the Jlonocotyledonous plants. It is unquestionably in 
the Dicotyledonous class that the greatest number of useful materials for this purpose 
are to be found. 
The following natural families are arranged according to tlie order of their utility 
for food to cattle The Graminea?, LegutninosEe, Cruciform, Rosaceoi, Amentacea:, 
Umbelliferse, Cucurbitaceae, and Polygoneae. 
The best Hay is afforded by the more elevated meadows, and its quality depends 
greatly upon the care with which it has been dried. In this article quality is much 
Goat. 
aUetp. 
Btdl. 
Dorse. 
Hug. 
547 
408 
311 
208 
86 
28 
81 
121 
113 
36 
32 
3.3 
70 
39 
23 
COT 
522 
502 
420 
145 
83 
133 
183 
23.5 
169 
0'90 
()o5 
085 
055 
314 
more important than quantity; for a stone of good Hay, well selected, and carefully 
dried, affords more nutriment than several stones of coarse or ill prepared material, — 
a matter to which sufficient attention is not always paid. The exposure to the sun or 
air, during its making into Hay, always occasions grass to lose some portion, more or 
less considerable, of its nutritive substance, which is evaporated along with the watery 
matter. New Hay often occasions indigestion, and it should not be given to cattle 
for several months after being made, at which time it is entirely deprived of its un- 
combined aqueous substance. 
Straw should be considered rather as a useful kind of ballast proper to be mixed 
with the really nutritive food of the domestic animals, than as a substantial nourish- 
ment. The best quality is fine, white, short, and massive. It is often advantageous 
to have it chopped and even moistened. 
Dried leaves, as well as the small branches of a great number of trees, shrubs, and 
bushes, may sometimes form a useful substitute for straw or hay, when the latter 
cannot be easily procured. The Elm, the Jlulberry tree, the Ash, the Hornbeam 
(Carpin7ts beiulus), the Lime trees (Tilia), the Common Maple and Sycamore 
(Acer), the Common Acacia (Robi}t{a pscudacacia), the W'^illows, the Poplars, the 
Birches, Beeches, Planetrees, Chestnuts, Oaks, Dogwood (Cornus), Hazel (Co- 
rylus). Furze ( Vlex), and the Vine, arc frequently used for this purpose on the 
Continent, in places where they happen to be plentiful. The same substances, if 
given in their green slate, may also replace the newly-mown grass of the meadows ; 
but they should always be administered witb caution, and with a due attention to 
their effects, which vary according to the species, as well as in their several states of 
vegetation. The green leaves of a tolerably large number of vegetables are annually 
cultivated on a large scale, cither as food for Man or for Cattle ; such are the leaves 
of the Maize, Beet-root, Cabbage, Carrot, Parsnip, Potato, and some others, all of 
which may be u.sed for this purpose in many cases with advantage. 
Roots, or rather their tuberous appendages, w’hich are ofren very large and volu- 
minous, such as those of the Parsnip, Carrot, Beet-root, Potato, Jerusalem Arti- 
choke, and Turnip, are frequently superior to any of the substances already mentioned 
as a daily article of food for cattle, and many comparative trials have clearly shown 
that they are in general much more profitable. 
Seeds, grains, or fruits, contain, of all the parts of a plant, the largest quantity of 
nutritive substance under the smallest bulk. They ought to be given judiciously and 
sparingly to cattle, from their being in general very costly, and there are some other in- 
conveniences to which their frequent use may give rise. Sometimes they are ground, 
broken, or prepared in different ways in order to render them more digestible and 
economical. The. principal seeds used for the food of the domestic animals arc also, 
in great part, furnished by the useful families of the Graminem and Leguminosje. 
Other farinaceous fruits, procured from some of the remaining families, are occasion- 
ally added to theso ; such as the Buckwheat (Polygonum Fagopyrum), the Chest- 
nut, Horse-chestnut, and Acorn, as well as the oleaginous seeds of cruciferous plants, 
especially of some varieties of the Cabbage, and Gold-of-pleasure (Camclina). To 
these may be added, the seeds of Flax, Hemp, some species of Poppy ; also Beech- 
nuts and Walnuts, or rather their refuse, and some other fniits less common or im- 
portant. Most of these, however, have the inconvenience of imparting to tlio flesh 
of the animals fed thereon an odour and taste by no means agreeable. In respect to 
the bran or husk of grains, it is nourishing only when it contains some flour mixed 
therewith, for the outer rind itself is not only destitute of nutriment, but very indi- 
gestible, and often injurious. 
Herbivorous animals are wholly overcome by famine, while carnivorous animals 
arc more easily vanquished by an excess of their food. Long-continued hunger ex- ‘ 
asperates the latter, and renders them furious, wliile many striking instances are 
known of the most ferocious animals being wholly tamed by an abundant supply of 
food, united to other precautions. 
Exercise, to which but little attention is commonly paid, is a subject requiring 
almost an equal degree of consideration with that of their food. By this term we 
commonly understand the amount of bodily motion necessary to maintain the proper 
circulation of the fluids, and to impart that degree of activity which the natural con- 
dition of their body requires. Exercise is the contrary of repose, and without either 
of these, the animal machine would soon be destroyed. It greatly assists the insen - 
sible transpiration, the most abundant of all the secretions, and keeps off a number 
of diseases depending upon the superabundance of the fluids, their impurity, or stagna- 
tion, enlargements or obstructions of the viscera. Far from diminishing the animal 
forces, it reanimates them ; a languishing appetite is restored, and the consequences 
of exercise are reflected throughout the entire vital economy. 
The influence of exercise upon fecundity and longevity arc not less remarkable* 
Very fat animals are often unfruitful, while a long-continued repose frequently leads 
to obesity, which again induces impotence, and often death. These are not the only 
consequences of a continual want of exercise. Their limbs are deprived of that pl»y 
and spring necessary in preserving all the parts of the body in their state of health* 
Exercise should, however, be regular and moderate. Very violent labour may 
affect all the organs, and render thu stature diminutive; hence all excess in 
rc.spect should be avoided if possible, especially during the growing period of lif<?* 
The domestic animals .also require much attention in respect to their lodging** 
When in their wild state, they arc constantly in the open air ; in their domesticated 
condition they are often abstracted from it. This essential difference necessarily 
fects the conditions of their existence ; and, in proportion as they are brought nearer 
to their natural state, their health becomes improved, while an opposite course 
treatment may be attended with the most fatal consequences. 
Our most useful domestic animals arc often confined in narrow stables, which ft**® 
perhaps rather injurious than beneficial, from their vicious construction or pernicious 
arrangement. A knowledge of these defects has suggested to some rural economists 
the idea of exposing their cattle continually in the open air ; but these persons do 
not perceive, that in avoiding one error, they fall, as frequently happens, into m'’ 
other not less important. Wiien in their wild state, animals an; always vi o/jcn 
air, it is true ; but it does not follow that they arc continually exposed lo the 
