Organic Remains of Burdiehouse. 285 
specimen, I wished to ascertain how far a similar variation might 
be observable in the present instance. 
In selecting specimens for a fuller analysis, it appeared to me 
to be desirable, on the one hand, that such coprolites should be 
chosen as contained fish scales, because it is by such contents as 
these that the real nature of these fecal remains is best evinced ; 
and, on the other hand, that the quantity of these contained re- 
mains should not be greater than was sufficient to afford decisive 
evidence of their presence, because the purity of the proper mat- 
ter of which the coprolites consist would be in some measure af- 
fected by them. Two specimens were chosen, in one of which the 
imbedded coprolite was about 2 inches long by 1 inch broad, and in 
the other it was about 2} inches by 3 broad. The colour of both 
was yellowish-white. Their texture was compact, with a con- 
choidal fracture. A few fish scales were scattered through their 
substance. 22.99 grains of the former coprolite were dissolved 
in diluted muriatic acid, and the loss of weight resulting from 
effervescence ascertained to be 1.07 grains. A good deal of 
brown flocky matter was left, which was separated by filtration, 
and dried at the temperature of 212°, when it weighed 1 grain. 
It then appeared as a black coally mass, which fused on the appli- 
cation of heat, gave a white inflammable vapour and took fire, and 
burned with flame, leaving a residue of silica amounting to .09 of 
a grain. This, in short, was bituminous matter, which, as will 
presently appear, had been derived from the limestone. The 
muriatic solution was then precipitated by ammonia, in a little 
excess, and the phosphate of lime collected by filtration, and ig- 
nited. It then weighed 19.56 grains. The remaining liquid 
was precipitated by oxalate of ammonia, and after calcining the 
precipitate under the usual precautions, 2.48 grains of carbonate 
of lime were procured, which contain 1.083 of carbonic acid, and 
thus correspond sufficiently with the loss of weight. by efferves- 
cence. 
We have thus in 22.99 grains, 
