or Spading, the operation of castrating the females of several kinds of animals, as sows, bitches, &c., to prevent any further conception, and promote their fattening.

It is performed by cutting them in the mid flank, on the left-side, with a sharp knife or lancet, taking out the uterus and cutting it off, and so stitching up the wound, anointing the part with tar, and keeping the animal warm for two or three days. The usual way is to make the incision slopewise two inches and a half long, that the forefinger may be put in towards the back to feel for the ovaries, which are two kernels as big as acorns on both sides of the uterus, one of which is drawn to the wound, the string thereof cut, and thus both taken out.

SPEAKER of the house of commons, a member of the house, elected by a majority of the votes thereof, to act as chairman or presiding in putting questions, reading briefs or bills, keeping order, reprimanding the refractory, adjourning the house, &c. See Parliament.