34 SCHLOSSBERGER ON CRYSTALS IN CATERPILLARS, 
very various sizes, although the largest were scarcely equal to 
the quadratoctahedra of oxalate of lime which occur in human 
urine. Most of these minute crystals were isolated; but 
here and there might also be remarked crystalline masses, in 
which the individual crystals were united by an amorphous 
or membranous connective material. The isolated corpuscles 
never presented more than one surface to view, which was for 
the most part quadratic, though in some cases having an 
oblong form. No octahedra could be observed. 
They were insoluble in water, alcohol, and ether, as well 
as in acetic acid, even after long standing or the application 
of heat. Treated with nitric acid, and subsequently moistened 
with ammonia, they exhibited no trace of the murexid colour. 
Dilute nitric or hydrochloric acids dissolved the greater part 
of them without effervescence ; the solution threw down a 
copious precipitate on the addition of ammonia, which was 
insoluble in acetic acid. When covered with sulphuric acid 
gas bubbles were evolved, and bundles of crystals of selenite 
shot out. When heated on platina-foil they turned brown 
without fusing, andtheneffervesced with acids. 
From the foregomg no doubt could be entertained that the 
granules consisted essentially of ovalate of lime, and it is 
certainly not without interest to find im the urme of man 
and of insects, in the latter of which the presence of uric 
acid had already been demonstrated, a second constituent 
common to both, and probably a derivative of that acid, viz., 
oxalic acid. 
When the crystals placed on the stage of the microscope 
were brought into contact with mineral acids they exhibited 
a very peculiar condition. A dark line appeared passing 
transversely across the entire face and dividing it into two 
halves, and frequently a second would be seen perpendicular 
to the former, so that the surface would be divided into four 
areas. Ultimately they also melted down from the borders, 
but frequently were only partially dissolved, an extremely 
minute granule or very thin plate, evidently of organic ma- 
terial, being left. When the crystals were cautiously heated, 
and then submitted to the microscope, many could be seen 
retaining their original form, but deprived of their brilliancy 
and transparency, and tinged of a yellowish colour. It must 
be left undetermined whether the bodies now described are 
to be regarded as true crystals or not rather as a sort of 
secondary crystals or incrustations. With respect to this, 
the author refers to the fact that m crystals of carbonate of 
lime formed in the animal body (as, for instance, otolites), 
for the most part, when dissolved, also leave a residue of or- 
