109 



Of the processes, connected with the propaga- 

 tion of animals, and the matters by which they 

 are influenced, we know, as yet, but very lit- 

 tle. The seminal liquor has been examined by 

 VAUQIIEJLIN. Its composition begins to change 

 immediately after emission: it deposits by de- 

 grees earthy phosphate, which probably results 

 from its decomposition. Its characteristic con- 

 stituent, which in the first moment appears to be 

 mucus, becomes, when out of the body, thin and 

 liquid in all kinds of gas, and even in a vacuum ; 

 the humour, which in the beginning was alka- 

 line, becomes acid by degrees. Of the seminal 

 liquor of other animals, we know only the soft roe 

 of fishes, by means of the experiments of FOUR- 

 CROY and VAUUUELIN; and in that a peculiarly 

 remarkable substance occurs, which is insoluble 

 in water and spirits ; on being distilled in close 

 vessels it produces phosphorus, which is partly 

 sublimed, and partly dissolved in the empyreu- 

 matic oil. The substance itself contains neither 



free phosphoric acid nor any phosphate. 



i 



The substances in the female, on which the se- 

 miiial liquor operates, are entirely unknown, and 

 the chemical nature of these processes is as 

 completely concealed from us, as the intimate 



