1820.] Scientific Intelligence. 151 



neutralizing the lime existing in the urine of this animal (some- 

 times in great abundance) prevents it from acting upon the urea 

 and decomposing it. 



VII. Fluid of Hydrocephalus. By the Same. 



This fluid had been taken two days before I examined it from 

 the head of a child, 10 years of age, who had died of the disease- 

 It was colourless, and nearly transparent, possessing only the 

 slight opacity of river water. Smell fresh, something like that 

 of new whey. It very faintly reddened litmus paper, and 

 restored the yellow colour of turmeric paper, which had been 

 rendered brown by ammonia. Specific gravity, 1008"5. 



Exposed to heat, it became opaque at a temperature between 

 160* and 170", and the opacity was increased if nitric acid was 

 added. The oxymuriate of mercury produced a slight opacity. 

 The acetic acid and prussiate of potash a sensible precipitate. 



On being submitted to analysis, it was found to consist of 



Water 987-18 



Albumen precipitated by nitric aci d and heat 1 -66 

 Substances soluble in alcohol, fatty adipo- 



cerous matter, lactate of soda ? 1'65 



Substances soluble in Water. 



Muriates of potash and soda 6•80■^ 



Sulphate of soda, and some animal v 9'5I 



matter incoagulable by heat.. . . 2*7 1 J 



1000-00 



This fluid has been examined by Dr. Bostock, whose conclu- 

 ons d 

 results 



sions do not differ much from the above. The following were his 



Water 986-0 



Albumen 1*2 



Uncoagulable matter 2-8 



Salts, chiefly muriate of soda 10-0 



1000-0* 



Hence this fluid is remarkable for the quantity of the muriates 

 which it contains. Dr. Bostock thinks he has estimated the 

 quantity of albumen rather too high, from not having used suffi- 

 cient heat in drying it. The standard of exsiccation for animal 

 substances which 1 have employed for many years is that of 212^* 

 in a vacuum Avith sulphuric acid. 



VIII. Education in France, 

 M. Cuvier, in a late discussion in the Chamber of Deputies, 



• Sec Mcdico-Cliirurg, Tr«nsactions, ir. 73. 



