510 
BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE. 
being the longest. It is largely cultivated in most parts of 
England, either by itself or mixed with the grasses. It 
contains more nutriment than the white clover. Sir 
Humphrey Davy’s analysis is— 
Nutritive matter 
Mucilage 
Sugar 
Gluten . 
Insoluble principles 
3-9 per cent.; or— 
31 
0-3 
0-2 
0-3 
M 
J) 
The clovers generally, both in their green/State and when 
made into hay, are of greater value to cattle, on account of 
their feeding properties, than to horses, and should not be 
given to the latter except to those employed for slow 
purposes. For animals, like the race-horse or hunter, in 
whom the great exertions of speed and endurance are called 
forth, food occupying a smaller bulk, and containing a much 
larger quantity of nitrogenized principles, is required. Al¬ 
though the clovers are much liked by ail kinds of cattle, 
and as a rule prove beneficial to them, yet instances are 
recorded of its causing injurious effects. One very frequent 
effect it produces in its young and green state, and especially 
when animals are allowed to feed upon it when wet from 
dew or rain, is what is called hove. The animal consuming 
a large quantity of this green food, it rapidly decomposes, and 
from the gaseous elimination distending the stomach, unless 
relief be speedily afforded, it proves fatal. A very interesting 
instance is recorded in The Veterinarian , for October, 1859, 
by Mr. G. Wentworth, showing the effects produced upon a 
flock of sheep that were allowed to feed for a considerable 
time on the Trifolium pratense , or common red clover. In 
this instance, extensive disease of the liver and kidneys was 
produced. From my own observations and the inquiries I 
have made, I am satisfied that when animals are kept for a 
length of time on clovers, especially when the plants get old, 
they become a great tax to the digestive system, and are calcu¬ 
lated to be productive of serious injury. A case in connection 
with this subject occurred to an animal, our own property, 
during last spring, which I think of sufficient interest to 
relate. On February 17th, I860, a well-bred filly, four years 
old, which had been lying idle in the straw-yard all the 
winter, was noticed by the attendant, on his going to feed 
her in the morning, to be standing in the middle of the yard, 
and when made to move she did so with great difficulty, 
appearing to be very lame on the off hind leg. He placed her 
in a box, and came to inform us of it; but we being much oc- 
