340 Mr. Hatchett's Experiments on Zoophytes, 



substance, like that which has already been mentioned, excepting 

 that it was not in detached portions. 



This solution, like the former, only yielded carbonate of lime. 



It may here be observed, that in each of the above related 

 experiments, the red colour of the coral was gradually destroyed, 

 as the solution of the calcareous substance advanced, and could 

 not afterwards by any means be restored ; nor could any colour- 

 ing principle whatever be detected by the re-agents usually 

 employed. 



A piece of red coral, in its natural or uncoated state, was 

 exposed to a low red heat, in a crucible, during about ten minutes, 

 at which time a faint smell of burned horn was to be perceived. 

 When the coral was taken out of the crucible, it had completely 

 lost the red colour, and was become pale gray. It dissolved in 

 dilute nitric acid, with effervescence, and some animal coal was 

 separated. 



To the filtrated solution pure ammoniac was added, and pro- 

 duced a very slight precipitate, which was collected, and was 

 afterwards dissolved in acetous acid. From this solution, by 

 the addition of acetite of lead, some phosphate of lead was 

 obtained. 



The carbonate of lime was afterwards precipitated in the 

 usual manner. 



As the very small portion of phosphate of lime discovered in 

 the preceding experiment, (and which had escaped the action of 

 the acids then employed,) might be only contained in the 

 coating or epidermis, a piece of the polished or uncoated coral 

 was treated in a similar manner; but, upon examining the solu- 

 tion, it afforded a small portion of phosphate, with a large 



