ON THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SILK. 155 



lr in the upper part of the globe, which, when 

 ;amined by the established test, appeared to be 

 .ery pure. In three days he collected three and 

 hree quarters of a cubic inch of pure air, into which 

 i wax taper being introduced, that had just before 

 >een blown out, the wick only remaining red, it 

 nstantly took fire, and burned with a bright and 

 arge flame. The water in the globe had acquired 

 he smell of raw silk ; it lost something of its trans- 

 >arency, and assumed a faint greenish cast. 



It was observed, that when this experiment was 

 lade in the dark, only a few inconsiderable bubbles 

 vere formed, which remained attached to the silk ; 

 tor was it otherwise when the glass globe was re- 

 no ved into a German stove. In the latter case, 

 ndeed, some single bubbles had detached themselves 

 rom the silk, and ascended to the top, but the air 

 vas in too small a quantity to be either measured 

 r proved. 



Dr Lardner says, " The imperishable nature of 

 ilk, even under circumstances peculiarly unfavour- 

 ,ble to the preservation of animal substances, forms 

 .nother of its qualities which is deserving of re- 

 lark. Some years ago, the sexton of the parish of 

 ?alkirk, in Stirlingshire, upon opening a grave in 

 he churchyard, found a riband about the bone of 

 ,n arm, and which, being washed, was found to be 

 ntire, and to have suffered no injury, although it 



