

1862.] 255 



each other, and one larger globule will result. If for the mercury 

 we substitute water, using paper or metal as a support, we may get 

 partial spheroids, which, being increased by repeated small additions 

 till they touch each other, immediately coalesce, forming a semi- 

 ovoid mass, instead of a sphere as in the case of the mercury. Mer- 

 cury containing other metals in solution acts like the water. 



Again, if a small quantity of chloroform or bisulphuret of carbon 

 be poured into water, the greater portion will sink to the bottom of 

 the water in globules of various sizes. The portion which floats 

 may also be driven below the surface by striking it from above. 

 These globules, when in contact, act precisely as the mercurial 

 globules, i. e. blend with each other. They frequently adhere to the 

 bottom of the vessel ; and on an attempt being made to move them, 

 tail-like appendages are produced. Creosote, castor oil, and the 

 ethereal oil of male fern, all give permanent globular masses when 

 forced below the surface of water. By agitation of the water, the 

 latter globules may be elongated into threads from half an inch to 

 an inch in length, and again resume their spheroidal shape. If in 

 the process of elongation the thread be broken through, two sphe- 

 roids result. If, instead of water, we use in these experiments a 

 solution of soap, whatever form is given by agitation to the masses 

 of oil is retained, and they possess no power whatever to blend with 

 each other the cohesive power is completely restrained. 



If a portion of the same oil be shaken with water, we get a number 

 of minute globules ; and by placing them in a cell under the inch 

 power of the microscope, we observe they possess little tendency to 

 coalesce after the type of the chloroform ; but if a portion of gum 

 solution be poured into the cell, the process of incorporation com- 

 mences immediately, and proceeds with rapidity. When these 

 globules are formed in thick syrup, they exhibit a very great tendency 

 to combine ; but if to the syrup a little thick gum be added, this 

 action is wholly prevented ; neither do they adhere to each other 

 when in contact. 



If we mix three parts of a solution of 5 grains of gelatine in 

 1 drachm of water with 1 part oil of male fern, forcibly shaking them 

 together in a test-tube, and draw a little of the mixture between 

 two glasses in contact, we obtain numbers of globules about the size 

 of the blood-corpuscles, and many much smaller. These globules 



