142 



fully exposed during the day to the direct light of the sun. Eesult : 

 After ninety days the meat had lost about three fluid ounces of liquid ; 

 size much diminished ; colour lighter red. When cooked by roasting, 

 became very compact ; taste harsh and sour, with nothing of the 

 flavour of roast meat. 



Third Series. 

 The object of this series of experiments was to ascertain the effects 

 of each of the following gases : — Nitrogen, protoxide of nitrogen, biuox- 

 ide of nitrogen, carbonic acid, carbonic oxide, and. hydrogen. The 

 meat was weighed for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of juice 

 which exuded in each case. It was intended further to ascertain 

 the quantity of gas absorbed by the meat kept in binoxide of nitrogen, 

 and whether any and what gas was generated in the others. 

 Experiments : — 

 1. Placed 4 ounces of beef in a bottle (.50 c. in.) of nitrogen. 

 •2. „ 5 ,, „ ,, proto.xide of nitrogen. 



B. ,, 4 ,. ,, „ binoxide nitrogen. 



4. ,, 4 „ ,, „ carbonic oxide 



.5. „ 8 „ „ ,, carbonic acid. 



6. „ 7i „ „ „ hydrogen. 



After twenty-three days, found the following results : — 



1. Colour dark brow^n : odour musty. 



2. Meat soft, dark bro(vn colour, musty odour. 



3. Natural colour unchanged. 



4. Colour beautiful light red, quite fresh. 



5. Colour dark brown ; meat fresh. 



G. Colour very dark brown, with spots of green ; odour very bad. 

 These experiments were interrupted by an accident. They were 

 repeated, but without previous weighing. At the end of forty-two days 

 all were tainted except the piece in binoxide of nitrogen. 



Fourth Series. 



The object of this series of experiments was to ascertain the effects 

 of mixtures of difl'erent gases, particularly with the view of ascertaining 

 whether atmospheric air, deprived of its oxygen, could be employed as 

 one of the ingredients, and, in admixture with it, the minimum quan- 

 tity of binoxide of nitrogen which would suflice to preserve the meat 

 from decay. 



Placed ten pieces of beef, each four ounces, in stoppered bottles 

 containing the mixed gases, and after tliirty-seven days examined the 

 contents. 



