FOR DIFFERENT LIQUIDS. 9 



of a mixture of J water and \ brine ... 235 parts by weight 

 ,, ,, -J- > 288 



-J alcohol J- water 60 



> "3" " 15" '* *'* '^l > 



1 f ... 290 



100 parts of dry pig's bladder take up in 24 

 hours, 



of pure water 356 volumes 



brine 159 



oil of marrow 14 



From these experiments it appears that the ab- 

 sorptive power of animal membranes for different 

 liquids is very different. Of all liquids, pure water 

 is taken up in the largest quantity ; and the absorp- 

 tive power for solution of salt diminishes in a certain 

 ratio as the proportion of salt increases. A similar 

 relation holds between the membranes and alcohol ; 

 for a mixture of alcohol and water is taken up more 

 abundantly the less alcohol it contains.* 



* In regard to this property, membranes differ in no respect 

 from other animal textures, as was long ago proved by Chevreul. 

 This distinguished philosopher found that the following sub- 

 stances absorbed, in 24 hours, of water, brine, and oil, 



