HAIR AND FEATHERS. 305 



Carbon, . 50-417 

 Hydrogen, . 6-655 

 A/ote, . 17-936 

 Oxygen, 

 Sulphur, 



100-000 



He represents the constitution by the empirical formula C 48 

 H 39 Az 7 O 17 . If, from this formula, we subtract that for pro- 

 tein, C 48 H 36 Az 6 O 14 , there will remain H 3 Az -f- O 3 , or an atom 

 of ammonia, and three atoms of oxygen. 



Wool has not yet been subjected to a rigid examination ; but, 

 from the experiments made on it by Berthollet, there is reason 

 to conclude that its chemical qualities do not differ much 

 from those of hair. When growing upon the sheep it is enve- 

 loped in a kind of soapy matter, which protects it from the at- 

 tack of insects, and which is afterwards removed by scouring. 

 Vauquelin has examined this matter, and found it to consist of 

 the following ingredients : 1. A soap of potash ; 2. Carbonate of 

 potash ; 3. A little acetate of potash ; 4. Lime ; 5. A very lit- 

 tle muriate of potash ; and, 6. An animal matter.* 



2. Feathers seem to possess very nearly the same properties 

 with hair. Mr Hatchett has ascertained that the quill is com- 

 posed chiefly of coagulated albumen. Though feathers were 

 boiled for a long time in water, Mr Hatchett could observe no 

 traces of gelatin. 



Dr Scherer purified wool by washing it in water and then boil- 

 ing it in alcohol and ether, f It left 2 per cent, of ashes. Being 

 subjected to an ultimate analysis, it gave 



Carbon, . 50'653 



Hydrogen, . 7-029 



Azote, . 17-710 



Oxygen, ) 



Sulphur, j 



100- 



So that its composition is the same as that of hair. Feathers 

 were also subjected to an ultimate analysis by Dr Scherer. :f 



* Ann. de Chim. xlvii. 267. f Ann. der Pharm. xl. 58. 



\ Ann. der Pharm. xl. 61. 



U 



