484 
then lie free on the field. Numerous single crystals, appa- 
rently liberated from such masses, may be observed floating 
about. These I regard as crystals of the fatty acids, and as 
forming the last morphic stage of the Histolytic process in the 
adipose tissue; the further dilysis of the elements of the crys- 
tals only awaits the operation of the necessary chemical and 
physical forces, which we may conceive to be called into play 
in a variety of ways. This particular observation of the order 
of morphic changes, as well as others which I have made, is 
highly important, as it shows the possibility of Histolysis or 
morphic dissolution being brought about without the agency 
of vegetable or animalcule life, thus proving, as I conceive, the 
independence of the series of changes, and its claims to be con- 
sidered as a distinct substantive process, taking place in obe- 
dience to certain physical laws, and not effected by vegetable 
and animalcule organisms, the development of which I regard 
as only a subjective, non-essential phenomenon. 
«‘ Jt is my intention to follow out the histolytic changes as 
far as I shall be able in the several: organs, tissues, and fluids, 
and I am now engaged with further inquiries on the subject. 
I may remark that the observation of the several phases of 
the process presents considerable difficulties, as almost every 
tissue has certain histolytic peculiarities, and the changes 
do not progress uniformly in all; thus, in a specimen of cere- 
bral substance of the same date as the structures already no- 
ticed, I find that the changes have proceeded to such an ex- 
tent that without preparatory studies of the phenomena pre- 
sented in this substance, at earlier periods in the process of its 
disintegration the appearances are quite unintelligible. 1 will 
only further add, that I have noticed very marked and charac- 
teristic differences in the smells emitted by different tissues un- 
dergoing putrefaction. I have already met with four very 
distinct and characteristic varieties of smells, and it is highly 
probable that this observation may be utilized.” 
