222 ANIMAL AMIDES. 



This is 1 atom hematosin, . C 44 H 22 Az 3 O 6 

 6 atoms chlorous acid, . 6(Ch O 3 ) 



When triturated with twice its weight of saltpetre, and thrown 

 into a red-hot platinum crucible, it is decomposed. The pro- 

 duct of the deflagration dissolves in water with the exception of 

 a little oxide of iron. The solution, when neutralized by nitric 

 acid, contains no sensible quantity of sulphuric or phosphoric 

 acid. Hence it follows that hematosin contains neither sulphur 

 nor phosphorus as constituents. 



When hematosin is heated in a retort, it does not melt, but 

 gives out ammonia and an empyreumatic oil, and leaves a bril- 

 liant charcoal of small bulk, which, when charred, yields a quan- 

 tity of peroxide of iron. From 100 parts of hematosin Lecanu, 

 in four successive experiments, extracted ten parts of peroxide of 

 iron. Three of these portions of hematosin were obtained from 

 individuals aged about twenty-nine years, and that of the fourth 

 from an indhidual of eighty-three years of age. Now ten peroxide 

 is equivalent to seven metallic iron. 



It is remarkable that iron is not separated from hematosin by 

 ammonia, potash, or soda ; nor is its presence indicated by tan- 

 nin or prussiafe of potash. It is difficult to conceive it to exist 

 in the state of oxide ; for if it did no reason can be assigned why 

 it is not acted on by these powerful reagents, which are so capa- 

 ble of detecting the presence of oxide of iron in ordinary cases. 

 Berzelius has suggested that it must exist in hematosin in the 

 metallic state. If we were to adopt this opinion, it would follow 

 as a consequence that the red colour of blood cannot be owing 

 to the iron which it contain?. 



Hitherto hematosin and albumen have been considered as sub- 

 stances possessing very nearly the same properties ; doubtless, be- 

 cause the hematosin hitherto examined contained a notable quan- 

 tity of albumen. The following table, drawn up by M. Lecanu, 

 exhibits the differences between the two in a very striking point 

 of view : 



Albumen. Hematosin. 



Colourless, dull. Black, lustre metallic. 



Soluble in water, unless coagulated. Insoluble in water. 

 Scarcely soluble in ammonia, slight- Very soluble in ammonia and po- 

 ly in weak potash ley. tasb, to which it gives a blood-red co- 

 lour. 



