252 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



might be easily effected in that portion : and it seemed not improbable 

 that by seizing the exact moment when the separation was taking 

 place, and adding more cream, the process might be communicated to 

 that also in a catalytic manner ; and if so, perhaps any quantity might 

 in like manner be made to yield its butter. 



I made the experiment, and was successful. I put a small quantity 

 of cream in the churn at first, and, by a few moments strong agitation, 

 brought it to that state, familiar to a practised eye, when the butter is 

 separating. An assistant stood with the principal mass of the cream, 

 ready to pour it gradually into that where the butter was in a nascent 

 state, which I continued to agitate with even increased briskness as 

 more and more cream was added. The effect was magical ; for in a 

 few minutes, I several times had the pleasure of seeing several quarts 

 of cream give up its butter. I found, however, that if the fresh cream 

 were poured in too fast, it would stop the process ; and that it Avould 

 not answer to let the agitation cease for an instant. 



I have delayed for two or three years to state these facts publicly, 

 because I had hoped to make additional experiments on the subject ; 

 but more important matters have prevented. I cannot, therefore, say 

 of how much practical value my statements may be. I tried experi- 

 ments enough to convince me, that although the requisite manipula- 

 tions would require some skill, it would not be greater than many 

 other processes common upon farms. The common churn, however, 

 is not adapted to the experiment. I think one might be invented that 

 would meet the case ; but I must leave the whole matter to any others 

 who may feel interest enough in it to carry forward what I have only 

 suggested. 



It was suggested by those who took charge of the butter thus 

 eliminated, that it seemed more difficult to separate and the whey 

 completely, than when obtained by the ordinary process. To this 

 point, therefore, the attention of the experimenter should be turned. 



FORMATION OP ARTIFICIAL CELLULAR, TISSUE. 



NOTWITHSTANDING chemistry has made us acquainted with the 

 composition of organic bodies, and the microscope has pointed out 

 their structure, we have yet much to learn with regard to the particu- 

 lar operations by which definite forms are assumed by the elementary 

 tissues. Many considerations concur to establish the probability of 

 the proposition, that the fluid state is necessarily the first in which the 

 elements of a tissue must exist previously to their undergoing a 

 morphac determination, precipitation, histomo-rphosis, or whatever 

 analogous term may be assumed to denominate the simplest change 

 which may be supposed to occur in the passage of a perfectly amor- 

 phous fluid into a tissue of definite shape. AVe owe to Asclierson a 

 .knowledge of the interesting fact, that the contact of two homogeneous 

 fluids, oil and albumen, results invariably in the immediate production 

 of elementary forms. .Still more recently, M. Melsens, by a series of 

 observations and -experiments, has established the possibility of one of 



