560 
FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS. 
Chemical Composition of Sows* Milk. — The milk 
of most species of domesticated animals has been often 
analysed, but the composition of the milk of the sow was not 
known until Professor Cameron undertook the investigation. 
The sow whose milk was examined had farrowed six days 
previously; she had a fine litter of pigs, and was in good 
condition. Her food was sufficient, without being too 
abundant, and consisted of small potatoes sliced, pulped 
roots, and a small quantity of grain. 
The following method of analysis was adopted : — A certain 
quantity of milk was weighed, acidulated with acetic acid, and 
afterwards diluted with pure quartz finely pulverised ; it was 
then evaporated to dryness over a water-bath. The residue 
obtained was treated with ether, which, on evaporation, 
deposited the fatty constituents of the milk. Their weight 
having been determined they v r ere submitted to calcination 
in a platinum capsule. 
This operation did not leave any residue, showing that 
they did not contain any mineral matter or casein. The 
amount of nitrogen was determined in the residue deprived ; 
of fatty matters, and by aid of the figures obtained the pro- 
portion of casein and other azotised constituents v*as calcu- 
lated. The lactin v 7 as determined by difference and by 
means of the cupro-potassic solution. 
The milk thus analysed was without any blue tint, very 
sapid, and had a slightly alkaline reaction. Its specific 
gravity was 1*041. 100 parts of it contained — 
Water ..... 
. 81-80 
Pat 
. 6-00 
Caseine and other Nitrogene bodies 
. 5-30 
Lactin 
. 607 
Mineral matter .... 
. 0-83 
10000 
The followinq Table qives the result of the Analysis of several 
hinds of Milk. 
Water. 
Fat. 
Caseine. 
Ingan. 
Mineral 
matter. 
Human Subject 
. 889-08 
26-66 
39-30 
48-68 
1-30 
Cow 
. 864-20 
31-30 
48-40 
47-70 
6-00 
Goat 
, 844*90 
56-87 
35-14 
36-91 
6-18 
Ewe 
. 832-32 
51-31 
69-78 
39-43 
7-16 
Mare 
. 904-30 
55-76 
38-35 
32-76 
5-23 
Ass . 
. 890-12 
28-53 
35*65 
50-46 
5-24 
Sow 
. 818-00 
60-00 
53-00 
60-70 
8-30 
