26 
QuEKETT on the Raphides of Cactus enneagonus. 
destroyed. The decarbonized residue was entirely dissolved 
in acetic acid with brisk effervescence ; and upon the addition 
of a solution of oxalate of ammonia to the acid solution^ an 
abundant white precipitate was immediately produced ; this 
was soluble in strong nitric acid, but insoluble in excess of 
acetic acid — oxalate of lime. In all probability, therefore, the 
crystalline masses consisted of — 
"I. A little organic matter ; 
" 2. Sulphate of lime ; 
" 3. A little of carbonate of lime ; 
" 4. Traces of chloride of sodium ; 
" 5. A vegetable salt of lime, containing a considerable pro- 
portion, or consisting entirely of oxalate of limeP 
On the occurrence of a Membranous Cell or Cyst upon the 
Olfactory Nerve of a Horse, containing a large Crystal of 
Oxalate of Lime. By James B. Simonds, Esq. (Read 
April 28, 1852.) 
The recent publication of Mr. Quekett's lectures on the occur- 
rence of earthy salts in both animal and vegetable cells gives 
an unusual interest to these depositions, and more especially 
when they are met with in those parts of the organism of 
animals where we should scarcely anticipate their presence. 
For this reason, and as an addendum to his valuable papers 
now being read before the Society, I am induced to bring 
before you an interesting and novel fact which has lately 
come to my knowledge relating to a deposit of the oxalate of 
lime within a cell or small membranous cyst. 
In the latter part of March a pupil of the Royal Veterinary 
College found, in dissecting the brain of a horse which had 
been procured from the slaughterhouse, a small transparent 
cyst, possessing a very bright or glistening aspect, attached to 
the bulbous portion of the right olfactory nerve. The speci- 
men, together with a small portion of the nerve, was carefully 
removed, and a day or two afterwards it was kindly presented 
to me, he at that time believing it to be an hydatid. 
From having been kept in water I found that the nerve was 
somewhat decomposed, and very readily separated into a pulpy 
mass ; a circumstance which prevented any minute examina- 
tion of its structure being made. I observed, however, that its 
substance was partly absorbed, so as to form a cup-like con- 
cavity for the lodgment of the cyst ; and I am led to infer 
from this circumstance that the sense of smell of the animal 
