442 



SECOND CLASS OF MINERAL CONSTITUENTS. 



manner the alkaline phosphates would act in the different 

 processes. 



In order to give some sort of general idea how, according to 

 Rose's analyses, the preformed alkaline phosphates should stand 

 in relation to the other mineral constituents, we have collected, in 

 the following table, the results of the analyses of several animal 

 substances, conducted under Rose's superintendence. 



Even these few numerical results promise to throw much light 

 on the theory of the metamorphosis of animal substances, on the 

 nature of individual zoo-chemical processes, on the distribution of 

 the potash and the soda in the different animal fluids, on the phy- 

 siological importance of phosphorus, &c. Notwithstanding the confi- 

 dence which we are justified in placing on the accuracy of these 

 analyses, we avoid entering deeply into the conclusions that might 

 be deduced from them, for independently of the circumstance that 

 so few analyses afford us comparatively little means of establish- 

 ing theories and deductions, we shall find sufficient occasion, when 

 considering the animal substances named in the above table, to 

 revert to the data afforded by these experiments, especially as our 

 observations would extend to too great a length, if we were to 

 attempt to bring into unison, or to estimate as they deserve, the 

 often contradictory results of the earlier analyses. 



Thus, for instance, in the consideration of the muscular tissue 

 and of the fluid with which it is saturated, we shall enter into the 



