146 BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE. 
sown in the spring and consumed in the autumn. “The 
winter tare is usually smaller in size, and has smoother 
and more cylindrical pods, and also presents a nearer re¬ 
semblance to the normal wild plant than the summer tare; 
yet if repeatedly sown in the spring, it rises into comparative 
luxuriance, and loses most, if not all, of its hardiness, and 
ceases to be suitable for autumnal sowing.” 
An important fact, showing the influence of cultivation, 
and one which should not be overlooked in these days of 
forcing with artificial stimulating manures. 
According to Sinclair, the winter tare contains more nutri¬ 
ment than the summer variety. He states, “ when cut at 
the time of flowering, upwards of one sixteenth of its entire 
weight consisted of nutritive principles; between one fifth 
and one sixth consisted of woodv or unassimilable matter, 
and the rest was water.” 
The vetch is largely cultivated in most parts of this 
country, but it thrives best on moderately dry and gravelly 
loams. It is one of our most valuable forage plants, not only 
on account of the large amount of green food which it 
affords, but also by its cultivation permitting a second crop 
(probably root) during the same year. It is sometimes made 
into hay, but requires much attention in doing so, and it also 
sustains considerable loss. Like all other green food, care 
should be taken not to allow animals to partake too freely 
of it, especially when it is w T et from dew or rain, or the 
result may be flatulent colic, or tympanitis, with a rapidly 
fatal result. 
TJlex Europceus (common Whin, or Gorse).—Calyx two¬ 
lipped; stamens ten, monadelphous; legume oblong, turgid, 
a little longer than the calyx; leaves spiny, sharp-pointed. 
This well-known plant is found growing upon heaths and 
waste places in most parts of this country. Indeed, it grows 
upon almost every description of soil, attains a height of 
from four to eight feet, and has bright-yellow flowers, which 
appear towards the middle of February. 
It is a very hardy plant, and in times of scarcity, especially 
during the winter months, would afford a considerable 
amount of nutritive food, which is much relished by all kinds 
of cattle. It requires to be well bruised or crushed, to 
destroy the spines, so as to prevent them from injuring the 
mouth. 
There is something very interesting and beautiful in the 
means by which the gorse propagates itself by seed, which 
I think worthy of a passing remark. 
It grows so densely, and speads itself so closely upon the 
