35-8 The Fungus Disease of India. [part ii. 



various methods and reagents employed, and shall subsequently state the conclusions 

 at which we have arrived in regard to the nature of these curious bodies. It was very 

 easy to procure large numbers of the particles free from other materials, as, owing to 

 the fact that their specific gravity is very high, they were rapidly deposited when 

 shaken up with water and allowed to subside. 



1. Liquor Potassce. — This at once changed the rosy colour to a dull buff yellow, 

 but produced no further effect, even when the particles remained for prolonged periods 

 immersed in an excess of the re-agent. When, however, a concentrated solution was 

 resorted to, the particles were slowly dissolved. 



2. Liquor Ammonioe. — The effects produced by this re-agent were precisely similar 

 to those of the liquor potassse. 



3. Hydrochloric Acid. — This when dilute produced no effect, save somewhat 

 brightening the red colour in some instances. When 'applied to specimens which had 

 been previously treated with potash or ammonia, the red colouring was in general at 

 once restored, and the processes of discharge and restoration of colour could be 

 frequently repeated by means of alternate applications of the alkaline and acid 

 re-agents. 



4. Nitric Acid. — The effects of this when dilute were precisely similar to those 

 of the previous re-agent. 



5. Sul'phuric Acid. — This when weak acted similarly to the other acids. When 

 strong, it broke up and partially dissolved the particles. 



6. Acetic Acid. — The action of this was precisely similar to that of the weak 

 mineral salts. 



7. Chromic Acid. — This at once destroyed the colouring of the particles on coming 

 in contact with them. A development of bubbles of gas then, generally occurred within 

 the substance of the particles, more especially in those containing a distinct cavity 

 in their interior, and the formation of such bubbles, followed by their gradual expulsion 

 through fissures, where such were present, continued for some time. Short tubes and 

 globules resembling myeline were then gradually given off from the surface of the 

 particle, and, growing outwards, ultimately were detached from it. After this the mass 

 became more and more obscure and dimly molecular, and finally remained as an 

 indistinct molecular flake. 



8. Liquor lodi. — This produced no effect, save somewhat browning the bright 

 rosy tint of the particles where it came into contact with them. 



9. Benzene. — Some particles having been carefully prepared by successive washings 

 with water, alcohol, and ether, were then subjected to the action of boiling benzene 

 for more than half an hour. Their colour, which had been partially discharged by 

 the action of the alcohol and ether, entirely disappeared, and they assumed a somewhat 

 fatty aspect. They were, however, otherwise unaltered, and showed no tendency 

 towards solution. 



10. Chloroform. — This produced much the same effects as benzene. 



