128 
Dr. Davy’s observations on the 
have ascertained, the following properties. The greater 
part of it is soluble in alcohol and water. The aqueous 
solution is slightly viscid, and does not pass readily through 
a common philter. It is not precipitated by acetate of lead ; 
and its transparency is very slightly impaired by corrosive 
sublimate. The substance obtained by evaporation, both 
from the aqueous and alcoholic solution, is light yellow, and 
transparent ; has a faint and peculiar smell different from 
that of the toad, and it is slightly bitter, and very acrid, 
acting on the tongue like the extract of aconite prepared in 
vacuo, and even occasioning a smarting sensation when 
applied to the skin of the hand, and its effect lasts two or 
three hours. When heated, it readily melts, burns with a 
bright flame, and does not emit an ammoniacal odour. It is 
neither acid or alkaline, judging from its not changing the 
colour of litmus or turmeric paper. Caustic ammonia dis- 
solves it ; the solution remains acrid. Nitric acid also 
dissolves it ; the solution is of a purple colour ; neutralized 
by an alkali it is less acrid, as if partially decomposed. The 
small portion of the fluid, not soluble either in water or 
alcohol, and to which it owes its consistence, is probably a 
variety of albumen ; and its appearance when burning would 
seem to warrant this idea. 
Though this fluid of the toad is more acrid than the poison 
of the most venemous snakes, I do not find that it has any in- 
jurious, and much less fatal effect, when absorbed and carried 
into the circulation. A chicken punctured with a lancet 
dipped in it, received no injury : and in confirmation of this 
statement I may remark, that though, as already observed, 
it abounds chiefly in the integuments, it is not confined to 
