bis 16. Observations on the Contents of the Digestive Canal in the Fatus of Vertebral Animals, by MM. Prevost and Royer.-An abstract is I contained in the last volume of this Journal, p. 169, of a paper 11 by these philosophers on digestion, in which they endeavoured to in establish that that function resulted from the alternate action of soda and muriatic acid, secreted by the alimentary canal upon the food. Their object in a second paper or note, the abstract of which follows, was to examine the subject as connected with that Jotime in the existence of the animal, during which the organs were forming, or beginning to act. This examination it appears confirmed their original views.

The chick in the egg was first subjected to examination. It was only on the ninth day of incubation that the organs were in such a state as to permit of the fluid in the stomach and intestines being collected, only a few drops then being obtained from many individuals. At this time the crop or first stomach, the glandular -stomach and the gizzard contained a transparent liquid, extending into threads between the fingers, and slightly alkaline; tested by acids, alcohol, and corrosive sublimate, it, from the precipitates formed, appeared to be abundant in albumen. The liquid of the intestines appeared to be of the same kind, but was in too small a quantity to be easily examined. The waters of the amnios gave much less abundant precipitates; they were clear, slightly yellow, and not extensible into threads between the fingers. The waters of the allantoides contained no albumen, and were very clear.

On the thirteenth and fourteenth day the liquid of the glandular stomach had increased in quantity, it contained much more albumen, and coagulated by heat: that portion which was in contact with the membrane containing it, was white, and had the appearance of albumen precipitated by an acid, and in fact when put upon test paper, it sensibly reddened it. On opening the gizzard, it was seen that the acid had flowed from the glandular stomach into its cavity, by the manner in which the precipitate was formed; abundant near the cardia, but very slight towards the pylorus.

The waters of the amnios coagulated by heat, and were slightly alkaline to test paper. Those of the allantoides were slightly turbid, from the presence of a portion of crystalline uric acid.

On the seventeenth day the changes were complete. The fluid of the crop was the same, but that of the glandular stomach and ΠΙ gizzard was entirely coagulated, and decidedly acid. Particles of albumen were found in the intestines, carried there by the peristallic motion; their surface was of a fine green colour. There was also found a substance containing globules, and of a yellowish gray aspect; it was a mixture of mucus and albumen. The waters of the amnios were denser than before. Those of the allantoides were of a yellowish white, slightly acid whilst warm from the sac,

and contained both uric acid and urea; hence the kidneys were performing their functions.

On the twenty-first day, a few hours before the chick would have been hatched, the contents of the alimentary canal were in such quantity as to allow of other trials on their nature. Decided traces of mucus were found in the crop, and free muriatic acid was found in the two last stomachs. The contents of the intes

tines were liquid in the first part of their course, and of a dull cinnamon colour; in the rectum they were solid, and of a deep greenish-brown colour. When treated with alcohol, the latter separated the colouring principle, which was remarkable for being strongly heightened by contact with the air. The alcoholic extract exposed became in a quarter of an hour of a fine deep emerald-green colour, being at first only of a pale yellowishgreen. This change did not take place in close vessels. Acids produced the same effects as oxygen; nitrogen and hydrogen no effect. The residue from the alcohol treated with dilute acids was separated into two portions; a coagulated albumen, which with certain salts remained, and mucus in considerable proportion, which dissolved.

Observations were then made upon a foetus of the mammalia class; a calf, of the weight of four pounds and a half nearly. Its stomach contained a homogeneous liquor of a pale yellow colour, transparent, drawing into threads between the fingers, and perfectly neutral. It did not change by ebullition or by nitric acid, and only slightly by corrosive sublimate, but tannin and sub-acetate of lead precipitated it abundantly. Hence it contained much mucus, and but little albumen. The waters of the amnios were neutral, not adhesive, and gave a less abundant precipitate with tannin and solution of lead.

The small intestines contained a thick matter, formed in part of globules. It was of a yellow colour, but slightly adhesive, and contained but a small quantity of mucus, much albumen, and a colouring matter soluble in alcohol, and having the same property as that obtained from the chick. Near the coecum, the appearance of the contents of the intestines changed; they there became solid, very adhesive, of a greenish-brown colour, and gave much mucus, but little albumen, and the colouring matter. The cœcum and rectum were filled with a white substance, containing globules without any colouring matter, and composed of a little mucus and much albumen. This observation is considered as interesting, inasmuch as it shews that the secretion of the mucous membrane of the stomach is very different from that of the mucous membrane of the intestines, It also fixes the epoch when the peristaltic motion commences.

Toward the conclusion of gestation, or about the eighth month, the liquid of the stomachs of the calf becomes thicker, more

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adhesive between the fingers, always perfectly neutral. Its specific gravity is 101.15. It contains no albumen; its constituents being mucus in large quantity, an animal matter soluble in alcohol and salts of soda and lime. Subjected to the pile, it loses its consistency, and deposits a considerable coagulum at the positive pole, which, though in appearance resembling albumen, has all the properties of very condensed mucus. The first portion of the intestinal canal contained a substance analogous to that found in the young foetus, but more abundant and more highly coloured. The latter portion of the intestines, with the coecum and rectum, contained a solid meconeum of a greenish-brown colour, composed of mucus, albumen, and much colouring matter: there were also many hairs dispersed through it; their colour was the same as that of the skin of the fœtus: they were also found in the mucus of the stomachs. As similar hairs floated in the waters of the amnios, it appear to the author a conclusive argument in favour of the opinion that the foetus swallows some portion of the waters in which it is immerged.

The waters of the amnios were very thick and drawing into threads; they were neutral, and resembled the liquid of the stomachs in the effects of re-agents upon them; they contained no albumen. They never gave traces of the amniotic acid described by MM. Vauquelin and Buonira. This was inexplicable, until having left a portion for two days in a hot place, it was found very acid, and then, treated according to the process described by those chemists, 170 parts gave about 1 part of pure

amniotic acid.

No free muriatic acid was found at any time in the stomach of a foetus of the mammalia class; its appearance is probably very near the moment of its birth, or otherwise it would be present before the young animal had received the milk of its mother.

It is then observed, that in a future memoir upon the manner in which the fœtus is nourished, it will be seen that the foetal parts of the placenta form the blood of the new animal, and that no mixture takes place between this and the blood of the mother: the following observation, terminating the present paper, proves this statement. A young foetus of a goat was procured, and its blood microscopically examined, and compared with that of its mother. The globules of the former had a diameter precisely double that of the globules of the latter, i. e., two millemetres (.079 of inch) seen with a magnifying power of 300, whilst those of the goat were only one millemetre in diameter.-Bib. Univ., xxix. 133.

17. Remedy for Effects produced by Inhaled Chlorine,The * The name given to the contents of these parts:

injurious effects which result from the introduction of chlorine into the lungs are well known, and as the preparation of this substance for its application in certain manufactures is very extensive, workmen are not uncommonly suffering in consequence of its inhalation. The advantageous use of ammonia is well known in these cases, the vapour of it being inhaled, or a little of it on sugar being taken into the mouth. It does not, however, except where the effect produced by the chlorine has been slight,.. give full relief, probably from the formation of a portion of azotane, which is itself very injurious to the lungs; but M. Kostner recommends that at the same time the vapour of alcohol should be breathed, which will in an instant dissipate every prejudicial action. The spirit of wine is to be dropped on to sugar, and held in the mouth. In this way he has made use of it for two years with constant success.-Gior. di Fisica. viii. 146.

18. Employment of Caustic to destroy the Variolous Eruption.M. Velpeau read a memoir to the Royal Academy of Medicine, tending to prove that if the pustules of the small pox are cauterized within the two first days of their appearance, they die away entirely; and if this be done even later, their duration is abridged, and no traces of them are left. The caustic he employs is a solution of nitrate of silver, in which he dips a probe, with which he pierces the centre of each pustule. M. Dumerel says that he has been long familiar with this practice, but instead of the solution he employed the solid caustic itself. (Archives Générales.)—Med. Jour., liv. 170.

19. Preservation of Anatomical Preparations.-M. Braconnet of Nancy has applied the persulphate of iron, in consequence of its astringent and antiseptic properties, to the preservation of anatomical preparations, &c. It is very cheap, and combines, with the greatest facility, with all the humours and soft tissues of animals, and preserves them both from putrefaction and insects. A brain which had been plunged for three months in a solution of this salt, being put into a warm place, required a considerable time to dry it, but without shewing the least sign of putridity; placed afterwards in water, it was still preserved for some time, but did not recover its pristine softness. Portions of the liver, spleen, lungs, and muscle placed in this salt, have equally resisted destruction.-Archives Générales, June.

Dr. Macartney, of the Dublin University, covers his preparation jars with a thin plate of Indian rubber, which is afterwards varnished. This is found to be very superior to lead or bladder, retains alcohol when used very perfectly, and adapts itself readily to the variations of volume in the contents of the jar, from differences of temperature.

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20. Physiological Prize Question.-"A general and comparative history of the circulation of the blood, in the four classes of vertebral animals before and after birth, and at different ages." The prize, a gold medal of 3000 francs value. Memoirs received till Jan. 1, 1827.—Academy of Sciences, Paris.

21. Salt on the Shore of the Severn.-During the wet weather in the month of July last, while walking beneath the cliff of red marl, which varies from about sixty to eighty feet in height, at Gatcomb, in the parish of Awre, Gloucestershire, on the northwest shore of the Severn, I was struck with the white appearance of the mud at low-water. On examination I discovered that, from the intense heat of the sun's rays, the stratum of mud was divided into square sections of various sizes, perfectly dried up, and the surface of the whole covered with a very fine salt. I moreover found the ledges and hollows of the cliff, where any water had lodged upon the reflux of the tide, covered to about the depth of one-tenth of an inch with a similar substance; and in both cases the saline particles did not differ perceptibly in taste, as to the degree of saltness, from a corresponding quantity of common salt. -Letter from Rev. C. P. N. Witton, B.A., Fel. of the Camb. Phil. Soc.

The Burmese imperial state carriage, which has been captured in the present sanguinary Indian war, is arrived in this country, and is now preparing for public exhibition. It is without exception one of the most singular and splendid specimens of art that can be imagined, presenting one entire blaze of gold, silver, and precious stones. Of the latter the number must amount to many thousands, comprising diamonds, rubies, sapphires, white and blue, emeralds, amethysts, garnets, cats'-eyes, crystals, &c. The carving is of a very superior description, the form and construction of the carriage most extraordinary, and the general taste displayed throughout so grand and imposing, yet at the same time so chaste and refined, as to defy all rivalry even from European workmanship. The enterprise and perseverance of this warlike people excite universal attention at this juncture, and the present object will prove that their skill in the arts even surpasses their prowess in arms, in both of which their proficiency appears hitherto to have been equally unknown to us. The carriage stands between twenty and thirty feet in height, and is drawn by elephants.