ORGANIC PEINCIPLES. 91 



able quantity of inorganic salts, in which the phosphates 

 predominate. 



Musculine, in combination with inorganic substances, 

 goes to form the muscles ; but in addition, is interesting as 

 being by far the most important and abundant nitrogenized 

 element of food. It is the great source of the fibrin and 

 albumen of the blood of man and of the carnivorous animals. 



Osteine. This organic principle, naturally solid, is pecu- 

 liar to the bones. If the earthy matter of bone be dissolved 

 out with dilute hydrochloric acid, the residue is nearly pure 

 osteine. By boiling with water it is transformed into gelatine, 

 a soluble substance differing in many respects from osteine. 

 According to the experiments of Majendie, fresh bones 

 possess considerable nutritive power, which is entirely de- 

 stroyed by prolonged boiling. It enters into combination 

 with large quantities of earthy salts, to form the bones. 



Cartilagine. This principle holds the same relation to 

 cartilage as osteine does to bone. By prolonged boiling it 

 is transformed into a substance resembling gelatine, called 

 by Miiller chondrine. This presents many points of difference 

 from gelatine, which renders it probable that the transfor- 

 mation of cartilage into bone, does not merely consist in the 

 deposition of calcareous matter, but also the substitution of a 

 new organic principle. 



Elasticine. This is the organic principle of the yellow 

 elastic tissue and the investing membrane of the muscular 

 fibres. According to Robin and Yerdeil it is slowly dissolved 

 by sulphuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acids, and these solu- 

 tions, diluted with water, are not precipitated by alkalis. It 

 is possessed of great strength and elasticity. 



Keratme. This is an organic principle, found in the nails 

 and hair, about which we know very little. It differs from 



