132 Mr Livingstone on a Chinese Lusus Nature. 
porosity of the coral to the action of a particular acid which ex- 
ists in the moisture of the body. According to the analysis of 
Thenard the acetic, according to Berzelius the lactic, and 
according to Berthollet the phosphoric acid, is found in it under 
particular circumstances. 
In order to prevent this deterioration of coral, when used for 
the purposes of jewellery, M. Virey remarks, that it will be suf- 
ficient to impregnate it with a fat body, which will defend it from 
the immediate action of weak acids ; and, for this purpose, he 
recommends that the coral should be digested in warm oil, or 
melted wax, so as to enable it to resist the action of the acid to 
which it is exposed. — Journal de Pharmacie , Avril 1821, No. IV. 
p. 198. 
Art. XIX.— Account of a Chinese Lusus Naturae. By John 
Livingstone, Surgeon to the British Factory, China. Com- 
municated by the Author. 
In Europe, monsters never fail to excite much public atten- 
tion ; they readily obtain a place in museums and the cabinets 
of the curious : and even slight deviations from nature, such as 
a finger or a toe, more or less, have been the subject of elabo- 
rate memoirs, perhaps in many respects disproportionate to their 
real importance. In China the case is quite otherwise. We 
know of no such collections. I understand from Dr Morrison 
that their books are silent on this subject ; and the very extras 
ordinary and interesting monster which I am about to describe, 
was born only two days journey from Canton, about sixteen 
years ago ; has been exhibited at Canton, and all around, ever 
since ; yet, as far as my inquiries have extended, no account of 
this lusus naturae has hitherto been drawn up, or has come to 
the knowledge of any European. 
When I was first informed that a monster was to be seen in 
a temporary inclosure near St Agostinho 1 s Church, Macao, I 
lost no time in attempting to gratify my curiosity ; but I learn- 
ed that the monster was then unwell, and had retired to rest. I 
then formed the resolution of having him brought to my house, 
for the double purpose of more deliberate observation, and ha- 
