296 Analysis of the Organic Remains of Burdiehouse. 
Buckuanp, the imperishable phosphate of lime. It has survived 
the extinction of species and the wreck of formations, and now 
aids us, at the distance of countless ages, in our attempts to con- 
nect together the organized beings of periods separated from one 
another by so vast an interval. 
In concluding for the present, I have only a single word to 
say as to the slight trace of perishable animal matter which per- 
vades all these remains. As we know that they all contain bitu- 
minous matter, and that many kinds of common coal yield am- 
monia by distillation, I thought it possible that the alkaline reac- 
tion of the limestone and of the various remains when heated, 
might arise from the bituminous matter. But on making some 
comparative trials between them and the coal used at the Glasgow 
Gas-Works, which yields an ammoniacal liquid on distillation, I 
found the alkaline reaction of the Burdiehouse remains was so 
much more decided than that of the coal, that there can be no 
doubt it arises from animal matter.* The strong ammoniacal re- 
action of the limestone, when subjected to heat, surpassing that 
even of the bones and scales, is remarkable, and shews how large 
a quantity of decayed animal matter from the various organic re- 
mains which have been entombed in it, has been diffused through 
its mass. In this respect, as well as in the character and extra- 
ordinary number of its fossil relics, both vegetable and animal, 
the subject of the interesting discovery of Dr H1szerr is distin- 
guished in a marked manner from the ordinary encrinal mountain 
limestone of the vicinity, which contains only a comparatively 
slight trace of animal matter. 
* Indeed, in the way in which these experiments were made, which was by heat- 
ing portions of the substances under examination in glass tubes, and observing the 
effect on turmeric paper, it is difficult to notice a proper ammoniacal reaction from 
the coal; whilst with the substances from Burdiehouse, particularly the limestone and 
coprolites, the alkaline reaction is observed with great readiness. In all such experi- 
ments it is easy to distinguish the permanent browning effect which the bituminous 
vapour exerts on the paper at a high temperature, from the true ammoniacal dis- 
coloration. 
