242 



Other methods also I have found promising, hut I have heen 

 compelled to give up the inquiry, at least for a long time, on 

 account of the extremely nauseous emanations which pene- 

 trated every room in the laboratory, and were, no doubt, 

 waiting for a favourable opportunity of changing into deadly 

 poisons. These, by proper arrangements, might be avoided. 

 I mentioned formerly that the temperature of 54° Fahr., or 

 12° C, was a very marked one in favoring putrefaction. I 

 now find that on to 120° Fahr., (49° C,) at least, the process, 

 if it ceases, may be set in motion by raising the temperature. 

 After that point it is difficult to induce putrefaction. I give 

 here a specimen of the 



PROGRESS OF THE DECOMPOSITION. 



Gases Absorbed. Not absorbed, 



Nov. 9 88-65 11-85 



„ 12 91-32 .... 8-68 



„ 13 91-56 8-44 



14 95-90 4-10 



15 96-04 3-96 



18 98-26 1-74 



19 98-50 1-50 



20 98-95 .... 1-05 



After the decomposition had proceeded to such an extent 

 that it was difficult to obtain even a few bubbles more, the 

 gases existed in the following proportion : — 



Carbonic acid 97.09 



Sulphuretted hydrogen 1-93 



Hydrogen. , . ..^ 0*18042 



Carbonic oxide 0-13968 



Marsh gas 0-07295 



Nitrogen 2-51715 



100. 

 A trace of a compound of cyanogen was found, and a 

 small amount of phosphorus was obtained in the acid 



