100 IMMEDIATE PRINCIPLES OF THE TISSUES. 



variety ; but as soon as ossification occurs io the former, osteine is 

 found, and cartilageine disappears as the process goes on. 



The chemical composition of cartilageine probably differs very 

 little from that of chondrine ; but even the latter is not yet decided. 

 Mulder's formula is C 32 H 26 N 4 14 ; Liebig's, C 48 H 40 N 6 20 . The origin 

 of cartilageine is not definitely decided, but it is probably formed 

 directly from the albuminous elements of the blood. Nothing is 

 known of its metamorphoses. 



Uses. Cartilageine is the essential organic element of cartilage, 

 and in which the vitality of this tissue especially resides. It, how- 

 ever, manifests even a lower vitality than osteine in the way of 

 nutrition and reproduction ; and hence this tissue is useful merely 

 on account of its physical properties, and especially of its elasticity. 



Remarks. The idea is untenable that glutin is formed from chon- 

 drine or, rather, that osteine is formed from cartilageine because 

 bone is formed from cartilage; for as bone merely replaces cartilage, 

 so the osteine replaces the cartilageine. Attempts, therefore, to 

 explain how either of these immediate principles is formed from the 

 other, are both uncalled for and unproductive. 



Miiller has shown that in cases of softening of the bones, where 

 there is a diminished amount of the phosphate of lime, neither 

 glutin nor chondrine is obtained by boiling them. 



6. Elasticine. 



This is the peculiar organic element in the yellow fibrous or 

 elastic tissue. (Robin and Verdeil.) 



Its chemical composition is not determined, nor is its amount in 

 the tissue above mentioned. 



Uses. It possesses but a very low degree of vitality; hence the 

 elastic tissue subserves merely physical requirements. Its great 

 extensibility and elasticity are its characteristic properties. 



7. Keratine. 



Keratine is the organic immediate principle peculiar to epidermis, 

 nails, hair, wool, and horn. 



A small amount of the fatty principles is chemically combined 

 with this principle. 



Uses. It is doubtful if keratine possesses vitality. At all events, 

 it merely gives hardness and other physical properties to the tissues 



