175 On the Identity of S ilex and OxT/gen. 



we to conclude," says M. Vanqiielin, the author of these ex- 

 periments, '' that it is the silex which has served to furnish 

 this excess of Hme ? For this purpose it would be necessary 

 that it should absorb nearly five limes its weight of some 

 unknown principle*." 



But it is not merely carbonate of lime that is generated in 

 this case at the expense of silex, there is also a quantity of 

 phosphoric odd ; for a larger quantity of the phosphate of 

 lime is voided wiih the excrements than can bd derived from 

 the oats, and yet there is less silex. 



The case is indeed so evident that, to me at least, there 

 appears no objection to the conclusions drawn by M. Vau- 

 quelin from his experiments. These I shall endeavour to 

 give in his own terms ; and. that they mav be more gene- 

 rally known, T shall endeavour to translate the substance of 

 them into English. 



*' If the experiments are exact, if they do not include 

 some circumstances not accounted for, we arc forced to 

 draw the foliowintf conclusions : 1st. That a portion of 

 lime has been formed from the oats by the act of digestion 

 and animalization ; 2d, that a qumtity of phosphoric acid 

 has also been generated ; 3d, th^t a certain quantity of car- 

 bonate of lime has likewise been created. There was less 

 silex discharged than the oats contained, consequently some 

 of this body had either disappeared or put on some other 

 form." — 



*' Be it as it mav, it is not less certain that a considerable 

 amount of lime, as well in the state of carbonate as in that 

 of phosphate, has formed itself in the organs of the hen, 

 and that a quantity of silex has disappeared. Though these 

 conclusions be still not very certain, the results of the ex- 

 periments on which they are founded deserve, nevertheless, 

 a high degree of credit ; and if neweftoits, often repeated, 

 should be conformable to these, we must be compelled to 

 acknowledge from them, tluit, during thedigestion of the hen, 

 silex is converted into lime." 



Jt were superfluous to expatiate upon every case in which 



* Ann, dc Chimic, tome ixix. 



silex 



