112 dr davy's observations on the cuticle 



Weighed again on the 31st, there was no further loss. Both were dry and rigid, 

 and free from any unpleasant smell. 



Another trial was made in the following manner : — a trout, just after it had 

 been taken, October 26th, was divided in the line of the spine. From one 

 moiety (No. 1) the skin was removed, when it weighed 1177 grs. On the other 

 (No. 2) the skin was left; it weighed 837 grs. The head had previously been 

 detached and the fish eviscerated. 



October 27. No. 1 had lost 59-7 grs., or 507 per cent. 



„ „ 2 „ 43-2 „ 50-4 „ 

 28. „ 1 „ 88-7 „ 75-3 „ 



„ „ 2 „ 632 „ 75-5 „ 

 30. „ 1 „ 90-0 „ 76-4 „ 



„ „ 2 . „ 636 „ 75-9 ,, 



On the following day the weight of No. 2 was the same, that of No. 1 was ■ 1 gr. 

 less ; both were dry and rigid. 



2. The Frog {Rana temporaria). A female on the 7th April was killed by 

 decapitation. After the application of a ligature to each thigh, just at the junction 

 with the pelvis, they were detached. From one (No. 1) the integuments were 

 removed; it weighed 559 grs. On the other (No. 2) they were left; it weighed 

 69 9 grs. 



April 8. No. 1 had lost 17'2 grs., or 307 per cent. 



„ „ „ 2 „ 204 „ 29-2 „ 



„ 9. „ 1 „ 34-6 „ 61-9 „ 



„ „ „ 2 „ 47-3 „ 60-5 „ 



„ 10. „ 1 „ 39-0 „ 700 „ 



„ „ „ 2 „ 48-2 „ 690 „ 



» 11. ., 1 » 39-5 „ 70-6 „ 



„ „ „ 2 „ 49-6 „ 70-9 „ 



., 12. „ 1 „ 39-7 „ 71-0 „ 



„ „ „ 2 „ 50-0 „ 715 „ 



„ 13. „ 1 „ 400 „ 71-4 „ 



„ „ » 2 „ 50-2 „ 718 „ 



After this they sustained no further loss ; on the contrary, the air being damper 

 they gained slightly in weight. In the dry and rigid state to which they were 

 reduced they were put into water. Taken out after three hours and wiped to 

 remove adhering water, No. 1 had gained 10*8 grs., No. 2, 148 grs. Immersed 

 again and left in twenty-four hours, each had recovered its original weight. 



3. The Toad (Bufo vulgaris). A similar trial was made with the lower ex- 

 tremities of a large toad, killed on the 11th July, when in full vigour. The 

 extremity (No. 1), deprived of its integuments, weighed 80 grs. ; the other, with 

 the integuments on (No. 2), 82'3 grs. 



