in different Branches of Science. 65 



with ice. In fhort, he confiders the oxalic acid given in 

 fmall dofes as the befl remedy. That acid, fays he, decom- 

 pofes the calcareous phofphate : the oxalate of lime which 

 thence refults will be carried into the torrent of circulation, 

 and will be driven outwards. 



Vauquelin and Brogniard have proved that the acetic acid 

 diflblves the vegetable gluten and the animal fibres. 



It is well known that there is a difeafe called by nofologifts 

 maL:coJleon> or mollities ojfitim, where the bones become entirely 

 foft. The calcareous phofphate is almofl entirely carried 

 away, and there fcarcely remains any thing but the cellular 

 tiflue of the bones, with the gelatinous and greafy part, or 

 the marrow. Were it poffible to find out the means of dif- 

 folving, gradually, in this manner the calcareous phofphate, 

 without depriving the bones of their folidity, and without 

 hurting the other animal functions, the fountain of youth 

 would be difcovered. It appears therefore that it may not 

 be altogether impoffible to retard age at leaft. 



Physiology. — Spallanzanihaving deftroyed theeyes ofbats 

 and fet them at liberty in an apartment, obferved that they 

 could guide themfelves from one place to another as before. 

 They avoided every obftacle that was prefented to them, 

 and even paflcd through rings which he placed before 

 them : and for this reafon he afks, " May not thefe animals 

 poflefs a fenfe with which we are not acquainted, and which 

 may fupply that of fight ? or, May not fmell be fufficient 

 for that purpofe ?" 



Jurine is of opinion that it is hearing which fupplies the 

 above want. He filled with wax one of the ears of thofe 

 animals which he had deprived of fight, and he obferved that 

 they flew about with difficulty : when he filled both their 

 ears, they could not fly at all. 



[To be continued '] 



Vol. I. F XIV. An 



