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the secretions of the mouth, it no doubt, causes the destruc-
tion of a vast many teeth. Various conjectures have been
offered to account for the origin of the tartar, with which I
do not wish to fatigue the reader. It is, no doubt, deposited
from the juices of the mouth.
I will present the reader with an analysis of this substance
made by Mr. Pepys, for Mr. Fox, in Dec. 1805.

Analysis of the Tartar.*

Dear Sir,
The specimens of the tartar of the teeth, which I received
from you, I have examined chemically. Previous to the an-
alysis, I subjected a portion of them to the following experi-
ments. I am Dear Sir,
Truly Yours,
W. H. Pepys.
Artillery Place, Finsbury, Dec. 1, 1805.
To Mr. Fox.

Tartar of the teeth is of a dirty white colour, inclining t©
brown, stained, in parts, yellow and green—spongy, porous
texture, yet considerably hard ; when it is detached in large
pieces, exhibits the impression of the teeth on which it was
deposited. The pieces which were examined were dry and
free from smell. Specific gravity 1.5714.
Sulphuric acid, 1.85, is immediately blackened—the sub-
stance becomes spongy and soft, but no complete solution
takes place.
Nitric acid, 1.12, acts in nearly a similar manner on this
substance as on the teeth. A gas which has the negative

* Fox, Part II, pages, 111, 114,