82 M. E. Peligot on the Composition of Asses' Milk. 



ed to ascertain the different specific gravities of the milk pro- 

 cured under the different kinds of feeding. The weight was 

 found greater according as the quantity of solid matter exist- 

 ing in the milk was greater. Thus there was collected, nine 

 hours after the previous milking : When fed with 



Beet, . . 1.500 kil. = 31b. 4 oz. 15.5 dr. or 3.3 Ib. 



Oats and Lucern, 1.500 ... = 3 ... 4 ... 15.5 ... or 3.3 ... 



Potatoes, . 1.250 ... = 2... 12... 2.25... or 2.74... 



Carrots, .. 1 ... = 2... 3... 5 ... or 2.2 ... 



I have mentioned, says M. Peligot, the time which elapsed 

 since the previous milking, because it is one of those circum. 

 stances which has a great effect on the quantity of the principles 

 discovered in the milk. That we might be able accurately to 

 measure the influence of this cause, the following experiments 

 were made. The milk of the same ass was collected an hour 

 and a-half after the previous milking, then after six hours had 

 elapsed, and then when twenty-four hours had expired. 



After 1 hour. After 6 hours. After 24 hours. 



1.23 

 6.33 

 1.01 



8.57 

 91.43 



100.00 100.00 100.00 



It will thus be seen that the proportion of solid matter be- 

 came less, or, in other ferms, the milk became less and less 

 rich, in proportion as a long time elapsed after the last milking. 

 As this result is directly contrary to the commonly received 

 opinion, the author was apprehensive it might have been reached 

 through some accidental means, or, perhaps, because the usual 

 and proper limits in which the milk is secreted had been exceed- 

 ed. He therefore instituted a new set of experiments, taking 

 the milk at an interval of six hours, and twelve hours after the 

 former milking. 



Six hours after former milking. Twelve ho urs after. 

 Butter, . 1.73 1.51 



Sugar of Milk, 

 Caseum, 



Solid matter, 

 Water, 



100.00 100.00 



But not only does the milk vary in its composition according to 



7.00 6.70 



1.25 1.10 



9.98 9.31 

 90.02 



