58 DR. R. ANGUS SMITH ON 



Other experiments gave me much more hydrogen ; and 

 I am prepared for a considerable variation in the amount 

 of the several gases. The nitrogen came to a minimum 

 whenever the decomposition became slow. This might be 

 interpreted in two ways : first, by the absence of air to con- 

 tinue the process ; and secondly, by the absence of nitrogen 

 from the decomposed albumenoids. I do not see from my 

 experiments a sufficient proof of the elimination of nitrogen, 

 as the process stopped on all occasions at the time when 

 I should have supposed the atmospheric air to have been 

 removed, except perhaps in the series 



Eesidual gas 



'bed gases 117*47 



I'C'i 



124*02 



3-48 



144*49 



3'4i 



148*14 

 3*46 





I2I*00 



_ r97'o8 

 2*92 



127*50 



97-27 

 273 



147*90 



9769 

 2*31 



151*60 



97*71 

 2*29 



lOO'OO 



lOO'OO 



100*00 



loo-oo 



which seems to show a constant amount of nitrogen freed 

 by decomposition. The production of pure hydrogen and 

 of compounds of carbon and hydrogen is interesting, and 

 leads us to consider the part which they play in nature, 

 where they are no doubt used in such a manner as to lead 

 them to recombination. The nitrogen is probably both 

 ehminated and absorbed in the action of organized 

 bodies. 



This short paper is only a slight addition to the former 

 one, establishing, to my own satisfaction at least, the fact 

 of the existence of organic compounds along with the gases. 

 I have not, however, prepared them in sufficient quantities, 

 although I have been able to find a method of doing so 

 without great difficulty. The reason I have not completed 

 a portion of the inquiry so apparently within reach, may 

 be called a personal one, but it is not without interest. 

 The gases were extremely ofiensive ; they pervaded the 

 laboratory for months, and every corner was afiected ; the 

 moment the door was opened strangers were offended ; 



