136 CONTENTS OF THE INTESTINAL CANAL. 



isolated, but sometimes grouped two and two, and ranging from 

 1 -400th to l-300th of a line. The cell, which at first is transparent, 

 gradually undergoes a superficial constriction through its centre, 

 and this is crossed by a similar constriction at right angles; the 

 lines deepen from the centre towards the periphery, till, finally, the 

 cells appear to be divided into four equal parts, the separate squares 

 ranging from l-700th to 1-5 00th of a line : as each of these squares 

 again subdivides in the same manner into four fresh squares, the 

 original individual expands into large plates, which are intersected 

 by rectangular lines, and are easily broken down into separate 

 quadrupartite cells. 



Hasse has also found the sarcina in evacuations from the 

 bowels ; and Heller* appears to have found it in a urinary sedi- 

 ment, although he does not seem certain of its identity. 



Hasse and Kolliker,t Virchow,^ and more especially Schloss- 

 berger, have instituted accurate chemical inquiries regarding the 

 constitution of this body. Virchow found that the molecules 

 of the sarcina were not changed hy acetic acid, but that potash 

 first rendered them more transparent, and subsequently caused 

 their disintegration into amorphous granules. Hasse and Kolliker 

 found that acids and alkalies only rendered the sarcina paler; that 

 it dissolved when boiled in sulphuric acid ; that when boiled with 

 hydrochloric acid the larger parts separated into smaller ; that in a 

 hot solution of potash the contents partially dissolved, leaving a 

 perfect skeleton ; and finally, that the sarcina, after being treated 

 with sulphuric acid, was only coloured yellow by iodine, but that, 

 at a glowing heat, it was perfectly destroyed. The conclusions of 

 Schlossberger were, that the sarcina was unaffected by water, 

 alcohol, ether, and the fats as well as the volatile oils, and that 

 neither organic nor dilute mineral acids apparently acted on it. 

 When treated with iodine and sulphuric acid, in order to test for 

 cellulose (according to Mulder's method), it exhibited no blue or 

 greenish colour; concentrated sulphuric acid decolorised the sar- 

 cina, and rendered it very transparent ; the interspaces between 

 the greatest squares became swollen, and, on the addition of water, 

 the larger broke into smaller parts. When the action was pro- 

 longed, it entirely dissolved ; many were rendered yellow by nitric 

 acid, only, however, when they had been previously treated with 



* Arch. f. phys. u. path. Chem. Bd. 4, S. 308, Taf. 1 , fig. 5. 

 f Mittheil. der Zurcher naturf. Gesellsch. 1847. S. 95. 

 t Arch. f. path. Anat. Bd. 1, S. 364. 

 5 Arch. f. phys. Ileilk. Bd. 6, S. 747-768. 



