likewise it usually contains abundance of vegetable 
matter, the remains of decayed leaves ; and the 
dung tends to bring the vegetable matter into a 
state of solution. 
The dung of domestic fowls approaches very 
nearly in its nature to pigeons 5 dung. Uric acid 
has been found in it. It gives carbonate of am- 
monia by distillation, and immediately yields solu- 
ble matter to water. It is very liable to ferment. 
The dung of fowls is employed in common with 
that of pigeons by tanners to bring on a slight 
degree of putrefaction in skins that are to be used 
for making soft leather; for this purpose the dung 
is diffused through water. In this state, it rapidly 
undergoes putrefaction, and brings on a similar 
change in the skin. The excrements of dogs are 
employed by the tanner with similar effects. In 
all cases, the contents of the grainer , as the pit is 
called in which soft skins are prepared by dung, 
must form a very useful manure. 
Rabbits 5 dung has never been analysed. It is 
used with great success as a manure by Mr. Fane, 
who finds it profitable to keep rabbits in such a 
manner as to preserve their dung. It is laid on as 
fresh as possible, and is found better the less it has 
fermented. 
The dung of cattle , oxen, and cows , has been 
chemically examined by MM. Einhof and Thaer. 
They found that it contained matter soluble in 
water; and that it gave in fermentation nearly the 
. same products as vegetable substances, absorbing 
oxygen e, and producing carbonic acid gas. 
