412 Forsyth on the Habits 
Analysis of the Ear-bone of a Fish. 
We are not aware that the ear-bone of the fish has hitherto 
been subjected to a chemical analysis, but it presents a strange 
anomaly in comparison with ordinary osseous matter. Atten- 
tion was called to it from the fact, that it is used by the natives 
of some countries, as a remedial agent; and though, at first 
sight, this might be deemed fanciful, yet on examination we 
find an unusual quantity of carbonate of lime to be present, 
which may act as an antacid. The carbonic acid was first esti- 
mated by calcining the bone, and restoring, with carbonate of 
ammonia, the carbonic acid driven off; and secondly, by 
treating the powdered bone directly with hydro-chloric acid, 
in an apparatus nicely counterpoised with chloride of calcium 
tube attached, the acid contained in a tube within being 
weighed with it, so that when the acid was brought in con- 
tact with the powder, and again weighed, the only loss was 
the carbonic acid, which escaped with effervescence during the 
digestion ; this served as a check on the previous trial, and 
exactly confirmed it. 
Water, * E ; é : 0.92 
Animal Matter, . . : : . 92.44 
Carbonate of Lime, . i : 10.08 
Phosphate of Lime, ; : . 16.16 
Phosphate of Magnesia, i 1 0.40 
fens ts T 
100.00 
This ear-bone presents a marked exception to the quantity 
of cartilage contained in the other bones of fish, which usually 
exceeds that of higher orders of the vertebrata. 
ART. XXXIL— ON THE HABITS OF SALMO FONTINALIS. From ® 
Letter addressed to Dr. Sronzm, by J. B. ForsyT#, M. D- 
Tur few observations I have to communicate vae 
habits and peculiarities of the salmon trout, were made €U 
