136 



The author, from the similarity of the properties of this substance 

 to those of the mercury compound of allyl, cousidered it to possess 

 an analogous constitution, and to be derived from a substance having 

 the formula C^ Hg S^, existing in the oil. According to which view 

 its rational formula may be represented by 



(Cg Hg So + Hgo a) + (Cs Hs S. + Hg2 S.) 



When treated with sulphuretted hydrogen it became black, and 

 an oil was separated, having a peculiar odour, and giving precipi- 

 tates with corrosive sublimate and chloride of platinum. This the 

 author considers to be the compound Cj Hg So ; but he was unable 

 to obtain enough for analysis. 



The precipitate with bichloride of platinum is yellow, insoluble in 

 water, and sparino-ly soluble in alcohol and ether. By hydrosulphu- 

 ret of ammonia it is converted into a brown powder. 



The oil from which these substances were separated likewise con- 

 tained sulphur ; but the author had not yet proceeded with its inves- 

 tigation. 



2. On the structural relation of Oil and Albumen in the Ani- 

 mal Economy. By Dr J. H. Bennett. 



Nitrogenised principles of food are subservient to the formation of 

 albumen, whilst the non-nitrogenised are mostly converted into fat 

 or oil. The fact, that a union of these is essential to nutrition, is 

 explained, according to the chemist, by supposing that albumen con- 

 stitutes the basis of the tissues, and that oil furnishes the elements of 

 respiration and animal heat. This theory, however, does not ex- 

 plain the origin and maintenance of all growth, which is so essential 

 to the vital functions. The author considered that the necessity of 

 oil and albumen was accounted for by their being both necessary to the 

 foi'mation of the tissues, and he endeavoured to shew that there is no 

 elementary cell into which these principles do not enter as constituent 

 parts. 



Dr Ascherson of Berlin shewed, in 1838, that oil could not come 

 in contact with fluid albumen, without the formation of a membrane, 

 and that, on producing an emulsion by rubbing them together, cells 

 were formed composed of an albuminous membrane inclosing oil, which 

 were identical with those found in milk. That the milk globules 



