and Observations on the component Parts of Membrane. 345 



burned ; after this, it fell into pieces, which, being dissolved in 

 nitric acid, afforded a small portion of phosphate of lime, and a 

 large quantity of carbonate of lime. 



When the stem of this Gorgonia was 'steeped during 14 or 

 15 days in dilute nitric acid, it tinged it with pale yellow. The 

 stem, after this, appeared more transparent and flexible, so as 

 to approach the characters of cartilage. 



The yellow liquor was changed to a deep yellow or orange 

 colour by the addition of ammoniac ; but did not yield any pre- 

 cipitate, even when carbonate of potash was added. 



Part of a stem was cut into small pieces, and was boiled for 

 several hours with distilled water. 



When filtrated, the water had acquired a very pale yellow 

 tinge ; and, upon the addition of infusion of oak bark, yielded a 

 slight precipitate of gelatin. 



Lixivium of caustic potash was then poured upon the same 

 pieces ; and, being boiled, a thick dark-coloured viscid substance 

 was formed, which possessed all the characters of Chaptai/s 

 animal soap. 



When the stem of this Gorgonia was exposed to a red heat 

 in a retort, or crucible, it curled up, and smelled like burned 

 horn ; after which, a spongy coal remained, of difficult inci- 

 neration. 



By a long continuation of the heat, a residuum was left, so 

 small as scarcely to be collected, which, being dissolved in dilute 

 nitric acid, afforded, by the addition of ammoniac, a slight pre- 

 cipitate of phosphate of lime. 



Another species of Gorgonia, which much resembled the 

 suberosa, (excepting that the cortical part was much larger 

 in proportion to the stem,) was next subjected to examination, 



Yy s 



