Bullocks, bulls, and cows 150,518 Calves 20,720 Sheep and lambs 504,514 Pigs 45,566 -------- 721,318 AMOUNT OF ANIMAL FOOD IMPORTED DURING SAME PERIOD. Bacon and hams cwts. 452,132 Salt beef " 163,638 Salt pork " 123,257 Butter " 1,000,095 Lard " 213,599 Cheese " 798,267 Eggs 373,042,000 I am indebted to Professor Ferguson, Chief of the Veterinary Department of the Irish Privy Council Office, for the following statement:-- RETURN OF HORNED CATTLE EXPORTED FROM THE SEVERAL IRISH PORTS AT WHICH VETERINARY INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED, AND CERTIFIED AS FREE FROM DISEASE, FROM THE 18th OF NOVEMBER, 1866, TO THE 16th OF NOVEMBER, 1867 (52 WEEKS). Fat Stock 187,483 Store Stock 317,331 Breeding and Dairy Stock 36,599 -------- Total 541,413 ======== PART I. ON THE GROWTH AND COMPOSITION OF ANIMALS. SECTION I. ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE LIFE. _Functions of Plants._--It is the primary function of plants to convert the inorganic matter of the soil and air into organised structures of a highly complex nature. The food of plants is purely mineral, and consists chiefly of water, carbonic acid, and ammonia. Water is composed of the elements oxygen and hydrogen; carbonic acid is a compound of oxygen and carbon; and ammonia is formed of hydrogen and nitrogen. These four substances are termed the _organic elements_, because they form by far the larger portion--sometimes the whole--of organic bodies. The combustible portion of plants and animals is composed of the organic elements; the incombustible part is made up of potassium, sodium, and the various other elements enumerated in another page. The organic elements are furnished chiefly by the atmosphere, and the incombustible matters are supplied by the soil.