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XXI. Observations on Albumen, and some other Animal Fluids ; 
with Remarks on their Analysis by electro-chemical Decompo- 
sition. By Mr. William Brande, F. R. S. Communicated by 
the Society for the Improvement of Animal Chemistry. 
Read June 15, 1809. 
SECTION I. 
Observations on Mucus and on the Composition of liquid Albumen. 
The results obtained from the chemical analysis of the in- 
tervertebral fluid of the squalus maximus, an account of which 
is annexed to Mr. Home’s paper “ On the Nature of the in- 
“ tervertebral Substance in Fish and Quadrupeds,”* led me 
to undertake a series of experiments on mucus, in order to 
examine the properties of that secretion in its pure state, and 
to ascertain how far it might be capable of conversion into 
modifications of gelatine and albumen. 
1. Saliva was the first source of mucus to which I directed 
my attention. 
In order to separate the albumen, which Dr. Bostock’s ana- 
lysis has shewn it to contain,^ it was agitated for a short time 
with an equal quantity of pure water ; the solution was then 
boiled and filtered. I considered the clear fluid, which had 
* Philosophical Transactions, 1809. 
f Nicholson’s journal, Vol. XIV. page 149. 
3c 
MDCCCIX. 
