198 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



and contained both uric acid and urea ; hence the kidneys were 

 performing their functions. 



On the twenty-first day, a few hours before the chick would 

 have been hatched, the contents of the alimentary canal were in 

 such quantity as to allow of other trials on their nature. Decided 

 traces of mucus were found in the crop, and free muriatic acid 

 was found in the two last stomachs. The contents of the intes- 

 tines were liquid in the first part of their course, and of a dull 

 cinnamon colour ; in the rectum they were solid, and of a deep 

 greenish -brown colour. When treated with alcohol, the latter 

 separated the colouring principle, which was remarkable for 

 being strongly heightened by contact with the air. The alcoholic 

 extract exposed became in a quarter of an hour of a fine deep 

 emerald-green colour, being at first only of a pale yellowish- 

 green. This change did not take place in close vessels. Acids 

 produced the same effects as oxygen ; nitrogen and hydrogen no 

 effect. The residue from the alcohol treated with dilute acids 

 was separated into two portions ; a coagulated albumen, which 

 with certain salts remained, and mucus in considerable propor- 

 tion, which dissolved. 



Observations were then made upon a foetus of the mam- 

 malia class ; a calf, of the weight of four pounds and a half nearly. 

 Its stomach contained a homogeneous liquor of a pale yellow 

 colour, transparent, drawing into threads between the fingers, 

 and perfectly neutral. It did not change by ebullition or by 

 nitric acid, and only slightly by corrosive sublimate, but tannin 

 and sub-acetate of lead precipitated it abundantly. Hence it 

 contained much mucus, and but little albumen. The waters of 

 the amnios were neutral, not adhesive, and gave a less abundant 

 precipitate with tannin and solution of lead. 



The small intestines contained a thick matter, formed in part of 

 globules. It was of a yellow colour, but slightly adhesive, 

 and contained but a small quantity of mucus, much albumen, 

 and a colouring matter soluble in alcohol, and having the same 

 property as that obtained from the chick. Near the ccecum, the 

 appearance of the contents of the intestines changed; they 

 there became solid, very adhesive, of a greenish-brown colour, 

 and gave much mucus, but little albumen, and the colouring 

 matter. The ccecum and rectum were filled with a white sub- 

 stance, containing globules without any colouring matter, and 

 composed of a little mucus and much albumen. This observation 

 is considered as interesting, inasmuch as it shews that the 

 secretion of the mucous membrane of the stomach is very dif- 

 ferent from that of the mucous membrane of the intestines. It 

 also fixes the epoch when the peristaltic motion commences. 



Toward the conclusion of gestation, or about the eighth month, 

 the liquid of the stomachs of the calf becomes thicker, more 



