C 245 j 



with other animal compounds : and even in ve- 

 getable substances, in general, as appears from the 

 statements given in the Third Lecture, the propor- 

 tions are far from having the same simple' relations 

 as in the binary compounds capable of being made 

 artificially, such as acids, alkalies, oxides, and in 

 salts. 



Fibrine constitutes the basis of the muscular 

 fibre of animals, and a similar substance may be ob- 

 tained from recent fluid blood ; by stirring it with a 

 stick the fibrine will adhere to the stick. It is not 

 soluble in water j but by the action of acids, as Mr. 

 Hatchett has shewn, it becomes soluble, and analo- 

 gous to gelatine. It is less disposed to putrefy than 

 gelatine. According to M. M. Gay Lussac and Then- 

 ard, 100 parts of fibrine contain 



Of carbon - - 53.360 



^ 



- oxygene - 19.685 



hydrogene - 7.021 



azote 19.934 



Mucus is very analogous to vegetable gum in its 

 characters; and as Dr. Bostock has stated, it may be 

 obtained by evaporating saliva. No experiments have 

 been made upon its analysis; but it is probably similar 

 to gum in composition. It is capable of undergoing 

 putrefaction, but less rapidly than fibrine. 



Animal fat and oils have not been accurately analy- 

 sed ; but there is great reason to suppose that their 

 composition is analogous to that of similar substances 

 from the vegetable kingdom. 



Albumen has been already referred to, and its 

 analysis stated in the Third Lecture. 



