ABSTRACTS
261
In the initial period there was a marked loss in condition and impairment of appetite
but progressive improvement ensued as soon as dicalcium phosphate was introduced
in the ration. When, however, dicalcium phosphate was eliminated from the ration,
the blood picture indicated a marked phosphorus deficiency and also low values for in-
organic P in blood and serum and raised values for calcium and phosphates in the serum.
No inappetence was, however, noticed in the experimental animals. The introduction of
bone flour at this stage again exerted a corrective influence and the blood picture rapidly
returned to normal.
The experimental evidence leads to the conclusion that phosphorus supplied in the
form of dicalcium phosphate is utilised to an extent approximately 50 per cent greater
than when supplied in the form of steamed bone flour, and that dicalcium phosphate
added as a supplement to a phosphorus deficient ration appears to exert a more favour-
able influence on nitrogen assimilation than does steamed bone flour.
The higher actual retention of CaO noticed when steamed bone flour is used as a
supplement is due to more CaO supplied by this supplement as compared with
dicalcium phosphate. In regard to the percentage retention of the CaO ingested, there
is hardly any difference between these two supplements. [H.B.S.]
The Cattle of the Gold Coast, J. L. Stewart. (The Emp. J. of Exptl. Agri.
Vol. VI, No. 21, 1938, pp. 85-94).
IN this interesting article the author gives a comprehensive description of the various
types of cattle in the Gold Coast and refers to the system of animal husbandry, the con-
templated plans of improvement and associated limiting factors.
The present cattle population of the Gold Coast is estimated at nearly 200,000 and
of these 160,000 are in the northern territories, nearly 40,000 in the plains of the eastern
parts of the Colony and a few scattered herds in other regions. The best cattle are found
in the north-east of the northern territories.
The distribution of cattle in the different regions of West Africa is correlated with
the degree of trypanosomiasis infection and availability of water. Shortage of water
has seriously inhibited the development of the cattle industry, but efforts are now being
made to remedy this short-coming in all the livestock areas.
The origin of the unhumped cattle of West Africa has been traced from three types,
the Hamitic Longhorn, the oldest African bovine, the Brachyceros or dwarf shorthorn
imported from Asia many centuries ago and the Zebu more recently brought from Asia.
The Zebu features are conspicuous in animals in northern territories, whilst in the remote
bush areas along the coast shorthorn blood is predominant. The present grading up
policy has a particular prejudice in favour of the Hamitic Longhorn type due to its
greater resistance to trypanosomiasis and other enzootic diseases as compared with
the Zebu. Another excellent type which is highly favoured in the tsetse areas and is
nearest to the pure Hamitic Longhorn is the N'Dama breed. It appears to be the most
suitable bovine for improvement work in the tsetse areas, as it is the only
type in West Africa which can usually stand to the infection of different strains of try-
panosomes. N'Dama is probably an admixture of the Zebu and Brachyceros.