134 Proceedings of Societies. 
duced dilatation of the ducts of the liver and gall-bladder, as well 
as dilatation of the ducts and lobules of the pancreas. The secre- 
tion was contained in the dilated parts of the gland last named, 
from which it was drawn off by means of a pipette. The fluid thus 
obtained was of an orange-yellow colour, and well-marked viscid 
consistency—sp. gr. 10105; appearance slightly turbid, owing to 
the presence of small white flakes, which a microscopic examination 
proved to consist of groups of small spherical, colourless cells, re- 
sembling, and most probably consisting of, the epithelial lining of 
the vesicles of the gland. Reaction faintly yet decidedly acid; heat, 
alcohol, corrosive sublimate, and bichloride of platinum threw down 
copious yellowish-white precipitates, consisting of the peculiar albu- 
minous constituent of the secretion, No reduction was effected by 
boiling the fluid with freshly precipitated blue oxide of copper, 
showing the absence of sugar or any corresponding deoxidizing sub- 
stance. The absence of sulpho-cyanide of potassium was shown by 
no reaction being given with a solution of perchloride of iron; thus 
affording a well-marked distinction between the composition of the 
human saliva and pancreatic juice. A partial emulsionizing effect 
was produced by rubbing some of the fluid with a little oil. With 
another portion of the secretion, starch was converted into dextrine. 
The action of the fluid upon albuminous substances was also tested, 
but a negative result was obtained. It should be stated, however, 
that but a small quantity of the secretion was now left, and that a 
day had elapsed between its withdrawal from the body and the appli- 
cation of this test. The author then adverted to the accounts which 
have been given by various physiologists of the pancreatic fluid ob- 
tained from the different domestic animals which it is usual to 
experiment on when samples of this secretion are required, and con- 
cluded by showing in what respect the secretion of the human pan- 
creas agreed with, or differed from, that of these animals. 
2. On the Acrid Fluid of the Toad (Bufo vulgaris). By John 
Davy, M.D., F.R.S. Lond. and Edin., &c. 
The author first adverts to the conflicting opinions respecting the 
nature of this fluid, and especially to one of the latest, that enter- 
tained by MM. Gratiolet and S. Cloez, that it is an active poison. 
He next describes some experiments he has made for the purpose 
of testing their conclusion, the results of which are in opposition to 
theirs, and confirmatory of certain ones of his own, showing that 
the fluid is a simple acrid irritant, and as such well adapted to pro- 
tect an animal otherwise defenceless, and, from its sluggish habits, 
peculiarly exposed to danger. 
Incidentally, he makes some remarks on the toad of Barbadoes, 
which, brought from Dominica only a few years ago, has so multi- 
