23 G 
MISCELLANEA. 
ANALYSIS OF THE LIVER OF A IIORSE SUFFERING 
FROM STEAROSE. 
In a horse wasted with pneumonia, the section of the liver 
was found in a state very rarely observed in these animals. 
The organ had a dark yellow colour, a hard consistence, and 
could be cut, like cheese, in slices. These slices felt between the 
fingers like adipocere, resembling the matter which is formed by 
the action of water on muscles. They also produced on silk a 
grease spot. By heating this liver grease was also evolved of 
a dark brown colour, and rancid odour, quite different from the 
grease of a healthy organ. Portions of the liver, when dried 
and ignited, burned like a candle, giving out a very black smoke, 
and an odour like that of Ozokerite or fossil wax. By repeated 
maceration of this organ with sulphuric ether, the grease was 
dissolved, leaving the fibrin, and after the evaporation of the 
ether I obtained a sufficient quantity of grease for chemical 
examination. This grease appeared like a combination of oxide 
of lipyl (the assumed base of fixed oils ) with a particular acid. 
When boiled with caustic potash it was converted into a soapy 
mass, which, by decomposition by acids, disengaged a very 
penetrating and rancid odour. By cold digestion with ether a 
small quantity of cholesterin was dissolved, which, by evapora¬ 
tion, separated in crystals. The disease of this animal resem¬ 
bled stearose. — Pharmaceutical Journal. 
SAGACITY OF FISH. 
A GENTLEMAN constructed a fish-pond close upon the sea coast 
and so closed at the mouth that the tide could ebb and flow into 
it. Into this he put every kind of sea-fish common in those 
parts which were fit for the table, and out of it his* table was 
plentifully supplied at all times. Among the numerous finny 
prisoners there was, and still is, we believe, an old cod, who 
became quite tame, and would at any time feed out of the hand. 
The pond was under the special superintendence of the gardener, 
whose presence could at all times collect a crowd of fishes to 
the side on which he stood, and from which he was accustomed 
to feed them. All of them, however, kept a respectful distance 
except the aforesaid old cod, which allowed itself to be tickled 
ovej* the back and snout, seeming to enjoy the treat like a cat. 
We have not the least doubt that if the trainers of learned pigs, 
speaking birds, and ratiocinating dogs would only try their 
hands on fishes, there might be a great deal more made of them 
than gourmandizers suppose.— Montreal Courier, June 1851. 
