TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. ~ 99 



Oh the Probability that some of the early Notions of Antiquity were 

 derived from Insects. By Rev. F. W. Hope. 

 In this essay the author has endeavoured, by the aid of the knowledge 

 now attained concerning the natural history of insects, to explain the 

 origin of many remarkable and erroneous opinions prevalent among an- 

 cient nations, such as equivocal generation, the transmigration of 

 souls, &c. 



Notice of Sixteen Species of Testacea new to Scotland. By Mr. Forbes. 



Abstract of Dr. Pritchard's Views of the Criteria by which Species are to 

 be distinguished in Zoology and Botany. By W. R. Carpenter, Esq. 



On the Means of Preserving Animal and Vegetable Substances. By 

 James Macartney, M.D., F.R.S., 8;c. 



When dead bodies were obtained with great difficulty for dissec- 

 tion. Dr. Macartney has preserved them in a state quite fit for the 

 purpose upwards of two months before the time they were wanted, 

 by injecting the arteries so forcibly that the cellular system received a 

 part of the fluid. The compound used for this purpose was a con- 

 centrated solution of equal parts of alum, nitre, and common salt in 

 water, and an equal quantity of proof spirit, to which the essential 

 oil of lavender or of rosemary had been added in the proportion of § 

 to a quart of the spirit. When dead bodies have been thus prepared 

 they are rendered incapable of the putrefactive process ; they remain 

 with an agi-eeable odour until they dry up or become mouldy, which 

 may not take place for three or four months. 



When it becomes an object to preserve the whole body or a portion 

 of it in a dried state, the injection above mentioned, either with or 

 without the salt, according to circumstances, is to be used. The cu- 

 ticle is then to be removed by scalding with hot water, and the 

 surface having been washed over with the brown or impure pyrolig- 

 neous acid, the preparation is exposed to dry air. 



Animal substances thus preserved on becoming dry acquire great 

 hardness, and shrink but little ; they appear to be perfectly impe- 

 rishable, and more capable of resisting all external influences than the 

 mummies of Egypt. 



If the injection be made with the salt, the forms fade so little that 

 the resemblance of the original parts is retained, and if the prepa- 

 ration "^e coated over with a solution of wax in any of the essential 

 oils, (which is found to be the best security against the exudation of 

 the salt,) the part possesses considerable flexibility and softness. 



The empyreuma of the pyroligneous acid operates more suddenly 

 and efi^ectually than the smoke of burning wood, but in the same 

 manner : thus, fish wiped over with it and hung up to dry, in a very 

 short time acquires all the flavour and appearance of that cured by 

 wood smoke, and hams or baoon washed over with the pyroligneous 

 acid resemble those from Westphalia. For every purpose of preser- 



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