230 ' GELATINE. 



Carbon 5077 



Hydrogen 715 



Nitrogen 1832 



Oxygen with -j 



Sulphur and I 2376 



Phosphorus J 



10.000 



592. One of the most remarkable properties of 

 this substance, is its strong affinity for tannin ; when 

 any astringent solution, which contains tannin, is 

 added to a solution of gelatine, they combine together, 

 and form an insoluble, elastic compound, which is re- 

 markably stable, and does not putrefy or ferment. 

 The skins of animals, which consist chiefly of gela- 

 tine, are converted into leather, by tanning, or steep- 

 ing them in solutions of tan. 



593. Gelatine is used as an article of food, as in 

 the preparation of soups and jellies ; by whitewashers 

 and paper-makers in the form of size ; in the man- 

 ufacture of glue ; and, as a fining material for clar- 

 ifying wine, beer, &c., when they are turbid. This 

 latter use is a purely mechanical one ; a jelly, com- 

 monly called finings, is prepared by the action of 

 very weak vinegar on isinglass, and a quantity of 

 this is diff'used through the liquid to be clarified ; it 

 of course precipitates any tannin which may be 

 present, and as it subsides carries with it all the solid 

 impurities which were previously suspended through- 

 out the liquid, rendering it turbid. 



594. The fat of animals is perfectly similar in 



