247 
the Teeth of graminivorous Quadrupeds. 
than was requisite to saturate the lime, it seems probable, that 
part of it was combined, in the synovia, either with soda or am- 
moniac ; and this accounts for the part dissolved by the distilled 
water. 
M. Margueron, in the Annales de Chimie , ( Vol. XIV. page 
123.) estimates the proportion of water in 288 grains of the 
synovia of an ox at 232 grains. The other ingredients there- 
fore amount to 56 grains : but, by evaporation, Mr, Hatchett 
obtained, from 9(30 grains of synovia, only 21 grains of residuum; 
which proves that the proportion of water is much greater ; for, 
56 to 288, is as 1 to 5,14; but, 21 to 960, is as 1 to 45,71. 
It is possible, that the proportion of water to the other ingre- 
dients may not always be the same. M. Margueron also, 
probably, estimated the albuminous matter, &c. in a moist 
state ; for, without one of these suppositions, it is impossible to 
reconcile such a very great difference. 
By these experiments of Mr. Hatchett, phosphate of 
lime was ascertained to be present in the synovia ; which, al- 
though in a very small quantity in the natural state of that 
fluid, explains the mode by which the crust of enamel on the 
head of the thigh bone could be produced, when, by a morbid 
action of the parts, the quantity of phosphate was preternaturally 
increased. 
A mixture of bony matter with the enamel and the sub- 
stance of the tooth, is a structure, as has been mentioned, not 
confined to the elephant : it is common to all truly gramini- 
vorous quadrupeds. But the whole number of grinding teeth 
belonging to each side of the jaw being confined in a case of 
bone, so as to form one large grinding surface, and the teeth 
being pushed forward from behind, instead of a second, set 
Kk 2 
