156 W. A. Osborne: 



One hundred grms. of the same, finely minced, gave the same 

 amount, namely, 17.5 cc. exti-act. Solid matter = 4.5%. If brain 

 or muscle be exposed merely to ether vapour, a " sweating " takes 

 place, and drops of extract are formed, but one never obtains any- 

 thing like the quantity of fluid as when tbe tissue is immersed in 

 the ether. 



Two hundred grms. dry sand in a separating funnel when 

 wetted with tap water retained, after dripping had ceased, 48.5 cc. 

 water. 



On pouring ether vapour on the surface of the sand 4 cc. water 

 were immediately discharged below. If the ether vapour is ad- 

 mitted to the under surface only of the sand, this discharge does 

 not take place. 



If instead of vapour a quantity of liquid ether is poured on the 

 surface of the wet sand, the following events occur : — At first a few 

 cc's. of water, then a further quick flow of water holding increas- 

 ing amounts of ether in solution, then ether charged with water, 

 and, lastly, ether with a very small quantity of dissolved water. 

 The sand w^ill now be found to be wet with ether. If petroleum 

 ether is used, then only a small quantity of fluid is very slowly 

 discharged. 



A given quantity of sand will hold more tap water than it will 

 water which has been shaken with ether. 



It is obvious that we have two effects here. One is the sudden 

 lowering of surface tension due to solution of ether, and consequent 

 fall of the capillary columns of water between the sand grains. 

 If water ia allowed to mount up a capillary tube and a small drop 

 of ether is placed in an enlarged part above, but not blocking the 

 lumen, then as soon as the vapour falls down the capillary 

 a rapid drop in the water meniscus can be seen. The other effect 

 is the progressive solution of the ether in the water, the augmenta- 

 tion of the latter in volume and hence progressive discharge until 

 the ether displants the aqueous phase. At the same time there may 

 be diminution of " Haftdruck " in the sense of Traube.i 



Now coming to gels, Ave find that some give the Struve-Baum- 

 stark reaction, and others do not. Amongst those that display 

 this property in a marked degree are the soaps. A 10% sodium 

 stearate (Merck) gel placed in ether begins to discharge liquid at 

 once. If the fluid is drained off until no more forms, it will be found 



1 Theorie des Hafttinickes, etc. Biochem. Zeit. Vol. r,!,, p. 305. 1913. 



