246 ON ANIMAL AND 



been found in the mineral kingdom, in combina- 

 tion with iron. It is easily decomposable at high 

 temperatures; and becomes converted into ammo- 

 nia, carbonic acid and carburetted hydrogen gases. 



Of its poisonous qualities, Dr. Majendie has 

 given us some interesting illustrations in the 

 eighth number of the Journal of Sciences and 

 Arts, in the following experiments : 



" First. The extremity of a glass tube, which 

 had been previously dipped into a vial containing 

 some pure prussic acid, was immediately plunged 

 into the throat of a strong dog. The tube had 

 scarcely come in contact with the tongue, than 

 the animal made two or three long and rapid in- 

 spirations, and fell dead. No method we could 

 devise, enabled us afterwards to trace the small- 

 est signs of sensibility in the muscular organs of 

 this animal after death. Second. An atom of the 

 acid was applied to the eye of another dog: these 

 effects were as sudden and as fatal as in the pre- 

 ceding. Third. A drop of the acid diluted with 

 four drops of alcohol, were injected into the 

 jugular vein of a third dog. The animal fell 

 dead that instant, as if struck by a cannon ball or 

 by lightning." 



" The doctor is of opinion, that the pure 

 prussic acid, as prepared by Mr. Guy Lusac, is 

 undoubtedly of all the known poisons, the most 

 active and the most promptly mortal/' 



Monsieur Kobart, of Rouen, states, that the 

 gas of the prussic acid in combination with atmo- 



