388 Mr. Hatchett's Experiments on Zoophytes, 



but, after about four weeks, the acid began to be tinged with 

 yellow, which gradually became deeper in the course of three 

 months ; the albumen, however, although less transparent, was 

 but little diminished. 



The yellow acid solution, when saturated with ammoniac, 

 changed to a deep orange colour, and remained transparent. 



4. The albumen which had been thus steeped in the dilute 

 nitric acid, was immediately immersed in ammoniac; which 

 changed it to a deep orange colour, inclining to a blood red, 

 and gradually dissolved it, without any apparent residuum. 



This solution was of a deep yellowish brown. 



5. If the albumen, instead of being immersed in ammoniac, 

 was washed, and then boiled with distilled water, it was dis- 

 solved, and formed a pale yellow liquor, which, by evaporation, 

 formed a gelatinous mass ; this, being dissolved again in boiling 

 water, was (like gelatin) precipitated by the tanning principle, 

 and more slowly by nitro-muriate of tin. 



6. By concentrated nitric acid, or by the dilute acid when 

 heated, albumen was speedily dissolved, with much efferves- 

 cence, and a copious discharge of nitrous gas. 



7. This solution was like that of tortoise-shell, and the other 

 substances mentioned in the former experiments. 



8. When evaporated, it afforded similar results. 



9. Albumen, like tortoise-shell, quill, and nail, was dis- 

 solved by boiling lixivium of caustic potash, and formed animal 

 soap. 



10. In like manner also, a considerable portion of ammoniac 

 was discharged ; and, if the alkali was in excess, some coal was 

 deposited. 



11. The animal soap obtained from albumen, when dissolved 



