386 
MELANOSIS AND OSSIFICATION. 
subjected to whilst in its free condition in the abdominal cavity will 
account, perhaps, for its smooth, moist surface, and the non-appear- 
ance of any point of attachment. The contents of this cyst were 
melanotic, I should say, containing less carbonaceous matter than 
the deposits already described. 
It is worthy of remark that this body was in a perfectly unde- 
composed condition ; that it had no vascular or other connexion 
with the living structures of the animal body ; nor would its ap- 
pearance induce the belief that a very recent attachment to any 
organic tissue had existed. 
Seeing that it possessed no observable resources for the con- 
tinuation of its vitality, the only reason that I can assign for its 
non-decomposition, especially as far as the cyst was concerned, is 
its exclusion from atmospheric air whilst in this situation. 
The Brain. — The animal having been shot through the head, I 
had not a fair opportunity of observing this organ ; but I could not 
detect any abnormal matter. 
The Heart appeared generally healthy ; but a jet-black circum- 
scribed globular body, about two-thirds of an inch in diameter, was 
imbedded in each auricle, visible only on its external surface. 
The Lungs had several of the like colour and size, circumscribed 
and distinct, deposited between the pleura and superficies of these 
organs. 
The Diaphragm. — Both its pleural and peritoneal surfaces were 
numerously studded with jet-black tuberiform bodies, from the size 
of a marble to that of a pea ; its aponeurotic structure contained a 
greater number than its muscular : their attachment was superficial 
and slight. 
The Liver was a mass of tubercles, entering into its integral 
structure and destroying altogether its glandular character ; they 
were of a brown and dirty yellow colour, about the size of millet 
seed, the largest not exceeding the size of a small pea : there were 
but few dark or black ones present. 
The Spleen , on the contrary, had but few, and those as large as 
a hen’s egg, enc} r sted, and mostly of a brown colour, in one instance 
approaching to black : this organ was enlarged. 
The Mesentery had numbers of these tuberiform bodies, very 
black in colour, deposited between the layers of peritoneum, vary- 
ing in size from a marble to a horse-bean. 
The Omentum also had a large quantity, very black, but gene- 
rally small. 
The Fore Extremities. — On separating them from their con- 
nexion with the trunk, a large black melanotic tumour weighing 
several pounds was observed embedded in the serratus magnus 
muscle, near its insertion into the scapula, in each extremity , in the 
