27* Dr. Brandes's Examination of a gelatinous Substance 



bursting of the skin had undoubtedly been produced by the 

 swelling of the mass on account of the moisture it had ab- 

 sorbed from the meadow, a tension which the thin mem- 

 branous covering could not resist. In such parts too the mem- 

 brane was so concealed by the jelly that it could scarcely be 

 perceived. Nor had the jelly here any distinct form, or any 

 traces of organization. But wherever the mass had remained 

 entire, and although swelled was still inclosed, it showed a ver- 

 micular appearance of the thickness of a quill and thicker ; 

 whilst in those places where the membrane had burst, the in- 

 side projected in lumps of three-quarters of an inch in thickness. 

 This vermicular appearance presented several small slightly 

 indented divisions, and had entirely the figure of an intestine ; 

 the back was marked by a tender vessel of a darkish-brown 

 colour, which spread with fine veins towards the front, losing 

 themselves about the middle in small blackish points. By this 

 vessel the back of the mass was entirely contracted, and much 

 extended towards the surface, just like an intestine. 



In a dry place the substance gradually shrunk, soon lost its 

 white colour, turned to a brownish yellow hue, became very 

 tough, so that it could be drawn into threads like glue, and 

 dried at last into a horny mass. 



Burned in a crucible of platinum it swelled, became gra- 

 dually black, emitted a strong animal smell, like singed wool, 

 and left 1*2 of grayish white ashes, which were scarcely af- 

 fected by water for some time, but at length gave a slightly 

 alkaline solution. In nitric acid the ashes were completely 

 dissolved, and ammonia gave a precipitate of phosphate of 

 lime. 



Twenty grains of this substance were desiccated on a water- 

 bath. It became hard and tough; and its weight was re- 

 duced to four grains. Moistened with water, it in a short time 

 re-assumed its former size and white colour. 



One hundred grains of the substance were boiled in three 

 ounces of water ; by this it swelled into a tremulous jelly, which 

 was so bulky that it had thickened almost all the water ; for 

 the whole being deposited on a loose clean linen cloth, it con- 

 gealed upon it ; and after several hours but little of the liquid 

 had oozed out, which was rendered turbid by protonitrate of 

 mercury and acetate of lead, but not by superacetate of lead. 

 A little of the substance was shaken with alcohol ; this acted 

 but little, but separated from it some of the water, and on its 

 bulk being diminished, it likewise lost its transparency. 



A solution of ammonia acted but slightly, whether in the 

 cold or by heat ; but a solution of caustic potash affected it 

 perceptibly even while cold, and entirely absorbed it when 



heated : 



