ON THE UNCOMBINED ALK.ALI IN ANIMAL FLUIDS. J47 



of the dried bark of this plant, which is the piscidia erythryna bark sent to 

 rr- J L J 1 • . r ^u! Mr. Carlisle, 



or Linnaeus, and grows most abundantly in some parts ot this 



island. Before I conclude I cannot help remarking, that this 



is one of the deciduous plants, no leaves existins on it during T*}*^ P'**^ ^*'' 

 , . -1 ciduous. 



the period of flowering, which is in the month of ApriW 



I have the honour to remain. 



In extremfe baste, your's truly, 



WILLIAM HAMILTON. 



This shrub is fhe icthyoraatheia of Brown — see his history Mentioned ttf 

 of Jamaica. Brown in the same place notices a shiub gtowing '■°^^"* 

 at Surinam, the leaves and smaller branches of which are em- Inquiry after 

 ployed for a similar purpose, with the bark of the root of the ^""^ ^^ ^ * 

 Dogwood. He calls it a Cytisus, which I strongly suspect to be 

 erroneous. Some of your readers can perhaps favour me with 

 the real name, habitat, and other particulars of this plant. 



X. 



^ Correspondence between Dr. Bostock and Dr. Marcet, on 

 the subject of the uncomhined Alkali in the Animal fluids. 



To Mr, Nicholson. 

 Sir, 



THE attention U'hich I have for some time paid to the Controverst 

 subject of animal chemistry, caused me to read with p° the alkali 

 , . , ... . , , , in the animal 



much interest the controversy, which was carried on through fluids. 



the medium of your journal, between Dr. Pearson and Dr. 

 Marcet, respecting the nature of the uncombined alkali in the 

 serum of the blood. I was induced to make a considerable First suppoied 

 number of experiments upon the su!?ject, the result of which *° potash, 

 had led me to decide in favour of Dr. Pearson's opinion j but 

 having communicated my doubts to Dr. Marcet, he repeated 

 and extended his former experiments in such a manner as, I 

 think, firmly to establish the fact, that the alkali is soda. The But sibce 

 detail of these experiments, as contained in the following letter proved to be 

 •f Dr. Marcet to aie, I have his consent to transmit to you for ^^ ^' 

 J. 3 publi- 



