and Observations on the component Parts of Membrane. 355 



and, upon the addition of ammoniac, a small portion of phosphate 

 of lime was obtained, which being separated, the carbonate was 

 precipitated as before. 



Some pieces of this Alcyonium were digested with boiling 

 distilled water during six hours ; the liquor was then decanted, 

 and infusion of oak bark being added, a quantity of gelatin was 

 precipitated. 



On the pieces of the Alcyonium from which the water had 

 been decanted, some lixivium of caustic potash was poured ; and, 

 being boiled, the whole of the membranaceous or pulpy part 

 was dissolved, and a substance exactly similar to Chaptai/s 

 animal soap was formed, while the calcareous part subsided to 

 the bottom of the vessel. 



Alcyonium Ficus. 



When the effervescence produced by pouring dilute nitric 

 acid on this Alcyonium had ceased, it was found unchanged in 

 shape, and like a strong thick membranaceous substance of a 

 fibrous texture. 



Pure ammoniac, added to the acid liquor, precipitated a small 

 quantity of phosphate of lime; after which, a copious precipitate 

 of carbonate of lime was obtained by potash. 



Alcyonium arboreum. 



This Alcyonium, being steeped in the dilute nitric acid, effer- 

 vesced, and was acted upon like Alcyonium asbestinum. 



The calcareous part was soon dissolved ; but the form of the 

 Alcyonium remained unchanged, and still appeared like a pale 

 yellow porous substance, enveloped by a skin or epidermis. 



Ammoniac did not disturb the transparency of the solution ; 

 but carbonate of lime was obtained by solution of potash. 



