418 



ANIMAL BODY. 



solutions of those salts, and it then resists putrefaction. It 

 likewise combines with tannin, forming a substance insoluble 

 in water, and no longer tending to putrefaction (leather) . 



The epidermis is affected by strong mineral acids : concen- 

 trated sulphuric acid dissolves it, as also do the caustic alkalies. 

 Many metallic salts combine with and colour it. The ter- 

 chloride of gold communicates a purple, nitrate of the protoxide 

 of mercury a reddish brown, and nitrate of silver a black colour : 

 the volatile oxide of chrome (?) exerts a similar effect, and 

 even the alkaline sulphurets communicate a brown or black 

 colour to it. 



[The hair has recently been examined by Scherer and Van 

 Laer. 1 By treating the hair with spirit, ether, and water, 

 there were removed margarin and margaric acid, olein, a brown 

 matter soluble in water, chlorides of sodium and potassium, 

 and lactate of ammonia. 



By ultimate analysis there were then obtained : 



Scherer. 



Van Laer. 



Carbon . 

 Hydrogen 

 Oxygen -i 

 Sulphur J 

 Nitrogen 



No. 1 was hair of the beard; 2, of the head of a fair 

 person ; 3, was brown hair ; and 4, black hair from a Mexican. 

 The ash in 1 amounted to O72g; in 2, to 0'8g; and in 4, 

 to 2-0. 



According to Van Laer, the inorganic constituents in 100 

 parts are : 



Colour. 

 Brown hair 



Black hair 



Red hair 



Gray hair 



1 Scheik. Onderzoeck, 2 St. p. 75. 



