DR. C. A. MAC MUNN ON MYOH^EMATIN AND THE H1ST0H/EMATINS. 
275 
Reptiles. 
In Tropidonotus natrix the liver, spleen, kidney, and wall of intestine show the 
histohsematin bands. In the testis they also appear to be present. In a small black 
snake (species ? probably Bascanium constrictor ) the liver and kidney showed histo- 
hsematin spectra, but in the stomach-wall and intestine only traces of oxyhsemoglobin 
could be made out. 
A small mud turtle, belonging to the genus Trionyx , showed in its liver, spleen, 
and especially in the kidney (spectrum 6, Chart II.), the usual histohsematin spectra. 
In the stomach-wall only oxyhsemoglobin could be seen. In Emys Europea the liver 
and spleen showed a faint band at D, and another between 1) and E exactly resembling 
those of other animals. In the kidney a double band, as in the last case, was just 
visible. In the stomach-wall and that of the intestine the bands were remarkably 
distinct and resemble those of mvohsematin (spectrum 7, Chart II.). I found that 
if the portions of these organs, e.g., spleen, liver, stomach, and intestine were steeped 
in Stokes’s fluid, the bands of the histohsematin spectrum became much better marked. 
On exposure to air they became fainter; hence the banded spectrum belongs to the 
reduced state, and the bandless to the oxidized, and this was found to be the rule in 
other cases.* 
In Lacerta viridis these spectra are beautifully marked, especially in the stomach- 
wall and kidney, the sharpness of the bands being much increased by steeping in 
glycerin. In the cortex of the kidney there is a band before D, and one, or more 
generally two, occupying the position of the single band, and placed closely together 
between D and E (spectrum 8, Chart II.). In the stomach-wall the spectrum closely 
imitates that of myohsematin (spectrum 9, Chart II.), and in the intestine a some¬ 
what similar spectrum is seen. In both these parts marked intensification of the 
bands is produced by dipping them into ammonium sulphide diluted with water. In 
the liver the spectrum is remarkable for the presence of a darker band than usual at 
the blue end of green in addition to those of a histohcematin (spectrum 10, Chart II.). 
In Lacerta agilis the same spectra are seen, also in Scincus officinalis. 
In all the above Reptiles myohsematin has been found. 
Birds. 
The common rock pigeon, Columba livia, furnishes evidence of the presence of histo- 
hsematins, differing in no way from those already described. In the spleen, pancreas, 
liver, and kidney, the bands are well marked, especially in the last (spectrum 11, 
Chart II.). In the liver I have also detected free hsemochromogen. The gizzard 
* Another point about tbe histoheematin spectra is that they become much more distinct after the 
organ or tissue has been steeped in glycerin for some hours. I think this is probably due to shrinkage 
and the consequently greater condensation of the pigments in a given space, and to the clearing action 
of the glycerin. 
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