CHEMISTRY. 233 



and a moderate heat, or even boiling, be resorted to, the whole of the bone 

 phosphate can be separated, leaving a clear fluid, which, thus deprived of 

 most of its organic matter, readily passes the filter. 



On adding to this filtered solution an amnioniacal solution of lime, an 

 instant abundant precipitation of a hydrated salt takes place to such an 

 extent that the whole fluid becomes a jelly in consistency. This salt is prin- 

 cipally bone phosphate of lime, crenate of lime being present, besides other 

 organic salts of lime. 



The phosphoric acid thus separated from the bone in putrefaction, leaves 

 the linie base in the presence of arsenic and other organic acids, for the 

 carbonic acid to unite with and form carbonate of lime, at the same moment 

 phosphoric acid dissolves in the fluid without preventing an alkaline reaction^ 



Recently prepared bone phosphate of lime can be decomposed by a cur- 

 rent of carbonic acid in pure water ; the bicarbonate of lime separates partly 

 as carbonate and partly remains in solution. Ammonia causes bone phos- 

 phate to fall, but the filtrate contains much phosphoric acid, w r hich is uncorn- 

 bined with an earthy base. 



The fluid which dissolves phosphoric acid from the bone, also holds a small 

 quantity of bicarbonate of lime hi solution, but the alkaline action is not 

 wholly due to the presence of this compound. It appears that a portion of 

 protein or other animal organic base holds the phosphoric acid engaged at 

 the moment of its separation. 



In two cases of poisoning by phosphorus, which were chemically ex- 

 amined by Dr. Hayes, the contents of the stomach, and even the parts of the 

 tissues, altered by the phosphorus were strongly alkaline. Both cases 

 afforded a compound hi which the phosphorus as phosphorous acid was in 

 union with organic matter. 



This elimination of phosphoric acid in the progress of putrefactive fermen- 

 tation, explains, as had been done, the formation of rock guano. It shows 

 us how readily bones give to sea water and other waters their phosphoric 

 acid. In connection with physiology, the experiments show that phosphoric 

 acid may exist hi the tissues, although the compound be alkaline or neutral, 

 and that a phosphate may pass away or be so placed without the disturbance 

 which might have been expected. 



"W ohler has more recently shown the solubility of bones in water, but it is 

 possible the beautiful decomposition here described may have escaped his 

 attention. 



OX THE COMPOSITION OF THE DEPOSIT OBTAINED BY THE 

 EVAPORATION OF SEA WATER. 



An extended research on the composition of natural waters, carried on for 

 some years, by Dr. A. A. Hayes, has demonstrated the existence in all 

 natural waters of certain organic salts, which, present in only minute quan- 

 tity relatively, have yet a very important and wide bearing on the origin of 

 cemented rocks. It became important, therefore, to study with much minute- 

 ness the composition of sea water, omitting the more obvious and well known 

 materials which form the saline parts, and keeping in view those which elude 



