342 Mr. Hatchetts Experiments on Zoophytes, 



Gorgonia ceratophyta. 



When this was immersed in dilute nitric acid, an effervescence 

 was produced ; after which, the cortical part appeared like a thin 

 yellowish membrane investing the stem, which was become 

 transparent, and similar to cartilage. 



Ammoniac precipitated from the solution a large quantity of 

 phosphate of lime ; and lixivium of potash separated some car- 

 bonate of lime. ' 



A quantity of the cortex (which had been separated from the 

 stem by beating it between folded writing paper) was steeped 

 in the dilute acid. This solution afterwards, with ammoniac, 

 scarcely afforded a vestige of phosphate of lime ; but, when lixi- 

 vium of carbonate of potash was added, a considerable quantity 

 of carbonate of lime was obtained. 



The stem, on the contrary, when thus treated, afforded much 

 phosphate of lime, and very little of the carbonate. When 

 burned in a crucible, it smoked, and emitted a smell like burned 

 horn, but the figure was not destroyed ; and, when afterwards 

 dissolved in the acid, it yielded the same products as before. 



Gorgonia Flabelhim. 



When this Gorgonia was steeped in dilute nitric acid, it pro- 

 duced an effervescence of short duration. The cortical part 

 then appeared like a thin yellowish membrane, which covered 

 the stem. 



The latter was transparent, and resembled softened horn of 

 a reddish brown colour. 

 " The solution afforded a large quantity of phosphate of lime, 



