Imperial Society of Natural History of Moscow. 7* 



acid and hydrogen ; and recomposed from these bodies. 

 In ail cases in which oxygen gas is procured from oxy- 

 muriatic acid gas, water is present : and the oxygen is fur- 

 nished by the water; and hydrogen is always combined 

 with the oxymuriatic acid gas; so that, as inflammable 

 bodies decompose water by attracting oxygen, so oxymu- 

 riatic acid decomposes it by attracting hydrogen. Mr. Davy 

 has detailed some experiments which render it probable 

 that the body called bvperoxymuriatic acid is in fact the 

 simple basis of the muriatic compounds, and that it forms 

 oxymuriatic acid by uniting to hydrogen, and common 

 muriatic acid gas by uniting to more hydrogen. 



In attempting to decompose oxymuriatic acid gas by the 

 combustion of phosphorus and the action of ammonia, 

 Mr. Davy discovered a very singular compound; which, 

 though composed of oxymuriatic acid and ammonia with 

 a little phosphorus, is neither fusible, volatile, nor decom- 

 posable at a while heat ; neither soluble in acid nor alkaline 

 menstrua; and possessed of no taste or smell. 



Mr. Davy has detailed nine modes of decomposing 

 common salt, founded upon these new facts, and has, 

 formed nine deductions from them respecting the com- 

 position of chemical agents in general. 



A paper on pus, by Dr. Pearson, was read. Previously 

 to the author's observations and experiments, a brief his- 

 torical account was given of what has been already done 

 on the subject. The conclusions among many others are ; 

 That the pus consists essentially of three differentsubstances, 

 viz. An opake animal oxide, seemingly already self- coagu- 

 lated; matter analogous to the coagulablc lymph of the 

 blood, but in a different state of aggregation. 2. Innumerable 

 spherical particles, seen with the microscope, separable by 

 chemical agents from the other parts. 3. A limpid co- 

 agulable liquid, in many properties similar to the serum of 

 blood. The saline impregnations are the same as those of 

 serum of blood aud expectorated matter, especially mu- 

 riate of soda, neutralized potash, and the phosphates of 

 lime. Various other substances are frequently found in 

 pus, which are considered to be accidental, and depend upon 

 different diseases. 



The Society theu adjourned till Thursday the 8th of 

 November,. 



IMPERIAL SGCPETY OF NATURAL HISTORY OF MOSCOW. 



M. Fischer, president of this' society, has published the 

 following short account of their labours for the last four 



£ 4 years. 



