368 The Fungus Disease of India. Impart ii 



There are moreover, many gradations in the character and extent of the 

 changes between the two extremes just referred to. The accumulation of granules 

 may considerably increase in size and the fibrous envelope become stronger (P'ig. 

 12); this condition may become more and more marked, until eventually large 

 portions of the ordinary tissue of a part become replaced by the black masses and 

 their tough fibrous receptacles. 



The physical characters of this peculiar dark substance are briefly these : The 

 colour varies from brownish-yellow to reddish-brown and black. The consistence of 

 the different masses also varies somewhat, apparently according to the relative 

 proportion of unchanged fatty material associated with it, upon which also the 

 variations in colour appear to depend. The specific gravity also varies — generally 

 it may be referred to as being somewhat greater than water. Some of the lumps, 

 however, sink almost as readily as a stone when placed in this fluid. We have 

 never seen examples of the substance that would float either in spirit or in 

 water. 



Fig. 12. — A fragment of the affected tissue from a foot showing the thickened fibrous septa forming the cavities, 

 some of which are seen to contain the black substance : a few particles of the latter are seen below, out of 

 the cavities. 



When placed under the blow-pipe it burns into a flame, giving off fumes 

 suggestive of burnt feathers. After being subjected to this heat for some minutes, 

 a very light, dirty-white ash remains, portions of which under the microscope present 

 a reticulated semi-cellular aspect. The ash dissolves slightly in water, and the 

 solution yields a strongly alkaline reaction to test paper. The greater portion of 

 what remains undissolved by the water is speedily dissolved by dilute hydrochloric 

 acid, and the solution gives with sulphuric acid, the characteristic reaction of a lime 

 compound. 



A fragment of bone from the same foot was similarly burnt, and the ash was found 

 to yield very similar reactions, except, perhaps, that the solution of the ash in water 

 was less alkaline to test paper. 



The dark material is insoluble in water and spirit, and only sparingly so in 

 ether but is almost completely soluble in potash. Weak acids do not materially 

 affect it. 



Since these remarks were in type we have received a note from Mr. C. H. Wood, 

 at present' the officiating Professor of Chemistry at the Medical College, and whose 



