THE UTILITY OF BOTANICAL KNOWLEDGE. 
529 
sary function after its natural energy has been, in some measure, 
destroyed by forcible but useless action. The direct utility of 
the ergot was manifest in both cases, but more especially so in 
the latter, where the uterus appeared quite exhausted by its 
repeated efforts ; and certainly it is but fair to ascribe its decidedly 
augmented power to the stimulus of the medicine alone, for no 
other means were resorted to to procure the desired effect. Its 
action, too, was prompt; in the first case within ten minutes of 
the administration of the last dose, and in the last case, where 
nature was further debilitated, within half an hour. I did not 
actually see the birth of either pup, consequently I cannot speak 
as to the difficulty or pain attending it; but at any rate no bad 
consequences resulted from it in any way. 
Coupling these two cases with the one related by Mr. Dick, I 
think we have fair grounds for placing some degree of confidence 
in the ergot of rye in cases of difficult parturition in one class of 
our patients ; and in my own practice I shall certainly always 
resort to it, not only without hesitation, but with an assured 
expectation as to its efficacy. How far it may be useful in other 
departments of veterinary obstetrics I have, as yet, no means of 
knowing; but whenever I have an opportunity, most certainly I 
will put its efficacy to the test : and I do certainly hope, that if 
any fellow-labourer has any facts in his possession bearing upon 
the utility of this medicine, he will communicate them to his 
brother veterinarians; for it is a most important subject, and 
one upon which we can be guided only by practice. 
ON THE UTILITY OF BOTANICAL KNOWLEDGE, 
IN RELATION TO AGRICULTURE AND THE FEEDING OF 
CATTLE. 
[This paper, extracted from an old number of the Gentle¬ 
man’s Magazine, contains so much that is interesting to us as 
veterinarians, that we gladly present it to our readers.— Edit.] 
Amidst that almost infinite variety of vegetables with which 
the beneficent author of nature has replenished our globe, those 
which go under the general name of grasses form the principal 
food of our cattle : next to these, among the natural classes of 
plants, none are more acceptable to them than the diadelphous or 
leguminous herbs ; of this class is the clover, so much cultivated 
in England, and the lucerne and some other fodder in France. Be¬ 
sides these, our horses, horned cattle, sheep, &c.,will all, in their 
