174 
PRESENT STATUS OF THE PROFESSION. 
The mistletoe also grows spontaneously on the following cul¬ 
tivated trees in this county : 
Yellow horse-chestnut (MJsculus Hippocastanum ). 
Western plane ( Platanus occidentalis). 
Eastern plane (P. orientalis ). 
American crab (. Pyrus malus Americana). 
Red swamp maple (Acer rubrum). 
Upright wych elm (Ulnus montana erecta). 
It will be seen that the names of the latter half of this list 
have no comments made upon them; they are mostly those of 
comparatively recently introduced trees, and we are led to con¬ 
clude that the parasites upon some of them must be exceedingly 
rare. 
VETERINARY OBSTETRICS. 
Letter from J. Hoole, M.R.C.V.S., Sleaford. 
Since advocating the use of the “chain saw” and “chain sector” 
in the operation of embryotomy, Messrs. Arnold and Sons have 
made the above-named instruments for me. I have been waiting 
for an opportunity to give them a practical trial; but a case 
requiring their use not having occurred, I have tried them on 
foetal calves ex ntero , and am fully convinced, from the ease and 
rapidity that the neck was cut through, and the fore and hind 
limbs detached, that some of the greatest difficulties met with 
in obstetric practice will now be easily overcome. 
I am, &c. 
To the Editors of the * Veterinarian 
THE PRESENT STATUS OF THE PROFESSION. 
By a Country Practitioner. 
Having considered this subject I will briefly state some facts. 
A few weeks ago, on reading the Stamford Mercury , I was 
astonished to find in it a paragraph to the following effect:—At 
Boston County Court, Mr. Wyer, M.R.C.V.S., Old Leake, Lin¬ 
colnshire, sued a farmer for £9 odd for professional services ren¬ 
dered. The farmer disputed it, paying £6 odd into court, and 
obtained the services of Mr. George Bland, M.R.C.V.S., of 
