VOL. LXXXV.^ PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 545 



The matter I procured from human muscle was melted, into which I plunged 

 a very sensible thermometer, which soon rose to l6o°; it began congealing at 

 112°, and became so solid at 110° that the thermometer could not easily be 

 taken out. — I took some of the spermaceti of the shops, and under the same 

 circumstances I plunged the same thermometer into it. It soon rose to 170°; a 

 pellicle was formed at the top of it, when at 117°; and it became so solid at 1 14°, 

 that the thermometer could not easily be taken out. — I dissolved a piece of the 

 substance, which I had formed by means of water and the nitrous acid, in boil- 

 ing spirits of wine: on cooling this mixture, a great quantity of this waxy 

 matter was separated in the form of beautiful flakes. I could not procure large 

 crystals, but the flakes assumed a crystalline appearance. — I put into an earthen 

 retort some of this waxy matter, to which I added some finely powdered char- 

 coal; on applying a pretty strong fire, a small quantity of an oily fluid came 

 over, which concreted on cooling; after which came over a prodigious quantity 

 of thick white vapours, which were very suffocating and oiFensive. 



I had a copper retort made, for trying some experiments on this matter. I 

 put a small quantity into it, and placed it on a common fire; there came over 

 first a limpid fluid like water, without much smell; on the addition of more 

 heat, there came over an oily fluid, which soon coagulated, of a firmer con- 

 sistence than when put in, and coloured of a beautiful green by the copper; 

 this last circumstance proves that it contained no ammonia. Having procured 

 some very pure quicksilver, I took a glass, which contained about 10 lb. of that 

 fluid, with which I filled it; I inverted it in a basin, which contained the same 

 fluid; I introduced a small piece of lean meat, and also a small quantity of 

 water; at the end of about 6 weeks, so great a quantity of gas was disengaged 

 as nearly to occupy the whole of the vessel; the meat had assumed a white 

 appearance. 



Since I mentioned my former experiments on the cow, which I had submitted 

 to the action of running water, I have observed a few facts relating to the 

 changes which took place. This cow was placed in a situation where the water 

 could come twice every day, as before described; over it some loose earth was 

 thrown: after it had remained some time in this place, I used frequently to push 

 a stick through this earth to the cow; every time this was done there came up a 

 prodigious quantity of air, after I had suffered it to remain quiet for a short 

 time. Since I put the cow in this situation, I have had 2 horses and another 

 cow placed under the same circumstances ; in all of them this disengagement of 

 air takes place, which is extremely offensive. In the former cow the whole mus- 

 cular part seemed changed; and from the substance formed I have procured a 

 very large quantity of a waxy substance by means of the nitrous acid. Though 



VOL. XVII. 4 A 



