Organic Remains of Burdiehouse. 285 



specimen, I wished to ascertain how far a similar variation might 

 he observable in the present instance. 



In selecting specimens for a fuller analysis, it appeared to me 

 to be desirable, on the one hand, that such coprolites should be 

 chosen as contained fish scales, because it is by such contents as 

 these that the real nature of these fecal remains is best evinced ; 

 and, on the other hand, that the quantity of these contained re- 

 mains should not be greater than was sufficient to afford decisive 

 evidence of their presence, because the purity of the proper mat- 

 ter of which the coprolites consist would be in some measure af- 

 fected by them. Two specimens were chosen, in one of which the 

 imbedded coprolite was about 2 inches long by 1 inch broad, and in 

 the other it was about 2j inches by f broad. The colour of both 

 was yellowish-white. Their texture was compact, with a con- 

 choidal fracture. A few fish scales were scattered through their 

 substance. 22.99 grains of the former coprolite were dissolved 

 in diluted muriatic acid, and the loss of weight resulting from 

 effervescence ascertained to be 1 .07 grains. A good deal of 

 brown flocky matter was left, which was separated by nitration, 

 and dried at the temperature of 212°, when it weighed 1 grain. 

 It then appeared as a black coally mass, which fused on the appli- 

 cation of heat, gave a white inflammable vapour and took fire, and 

 burned with flame, leaving a residue of silica amounting to .09 of 

 a grain. This, in short, was bituminous matter, which, as will 

 presently appear, had been derived from the limestone. The 

 muriatic solution was then precipitated by ammonia, in a little 

 excess, and the phosphate of lime collected by filtration, and ig- 

 nited. It then weighed 19-56 grains. The remaining liquid 

 was precipitated by oxalate of ammonia, and after calcining the 

 precipitate under the usual precautions, 2.48 grains of carbonate 

 of lime were procured, which contain 1 .083 of carbonic acid, and 

 thus correspond sufficiently with the loss of weight by efferves- 

 cence. 



We have thus in 22.99 grains, 



7 



