CHEMICAL SCIENCE. 237 



therefore began a series of experiments, the general results of which I now 

 wish to lay before the society. 



Into each of a number of small barrels twenty pounds of meat and fish 

 were introduced; and, to prevent the clotting together of the mass, it was 

 mixed layer by layer with pumice-stone. The top of each ban-el was perfo- 

 rated in two places, one hole being for the purpose of admitting air, whilst 

 through the other a tube was passed which reached to the bottom of the 

 barrel. This tube was put in connection with two bottles containing chloride 

 of platinum, and these in their turn connected with an aspirator. By this 

 arrangement air was made to circulate through the casks so as to become 

 charged with the products of putrefaction, and to convey them to the pla- 

 tinum salt. A yellow amorphous precipitate soon appeared, which was 

 collected, washed with water and alcohol, and dried. This precipitate was 

 found to contain C, H, and N; but, what is highly remarkable, sulphur and 

 phosphorus enter into its composition. 



I satisfied myself during these researches, which have lasted more than 

 twelve months, that no sulphuretted nor phosphurettcd hydrogen was given 

 off; and my researches, as far as they have proceeded, tend to prove that 

 the noxious vapors given off during putrefaction contain the N, S, and Ph of 

 the animal substance, and that these elements are not liberated in the simple 

 form of ammonia and sulphuretted and phosphuretted hydrogen. I also 

 remarked during this investigation that as putrefaction proceeds, different 

 volatile bodies are given off. 



Before concluding, I may add, that when the platinum salts are heated in 

 small test tubes they give off vapors, some acid and some alkaline, possess- 

 ing a most obnoxious and sickening odor, very like the odors of putrefaction; 

 and that at the same time a white crystalline sublimate, which is not chloride 

 of ammonium, is formed. 



As I foresee that these researches will occupy several years, I have deemed 

 it my duty in the mean time to lay the above facts before the society. Pro- 

 ceedings of the Royal Society. 



THE COCOA-NUT PEARL." . 



At a recent meeting of the Boston Society of Natural History, Dr. C. F. 

 "Winslow exhibited to the society a specimen of the so-called "cocoa-nut 

 pearl," set in a ring belonging to F. T. Bush, Esq., of Boston. He stated 

 that it came from Singapore ; that very few specimens are found ; and that 

 they are highly esteemed by the rajahs, and worn as costly gems. Mr. Bush, 

 during a residence of some years in the East, saw but one other, and that 

 was as large as the egg of a Canary bird; but he heard of others as large as 

 a cherry. Their method of growth was unknown, but they are said to be 

 found free in the cavity of the cocoa nut. The specimen having been pre- 

 sented to the society for examination, Dr. John Bacon, at a subsequent 

 meeting, reported on it, as follows : 



The peculiar characters of this gem are most readily described by compar- 

 ison with those of animal pearls, which it resembles in many respects. It is 

 about one quarter of an inch in diameter, and of a spherical shape. Its sur- 

 face, evidently a natural one, is smoo'h, and of a milk-white color, with little 

 lustre. Ou close examination, the surface appears mottled, and faint undu- 

 la'ed markings are seen within. In hardness it much exceeds true pearls, 

 equalling feldspar, or the average hardness of opal. The hardness of pearls 



