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SECT. XXXIII. 



OF THE FAT. 



481. OF most of the secreted fluids, a concise and 

 connected view of which was given in the last section, 

 distinct mention has been made in its proper place: 

 the rest will be described as opportunity may permit. 

 Two remain, which cannot be discussed in a more 

 proper place than the present, at the close of our in- 

 quiry into the natural functions. The one the fat, is 

 a part of the system (4) ; the other the urine, is excre- 

 mentitious. We will examine each separately. 



482. The fat * is an oily fluid, very similar in its 

 general character to vegetable oils,f bland, inodorous, 

 lighter than water; containing, besides the two ele- 

 ments common to water, to the oils just mentioned, and 

 to wax, viz. carbon and hydrogen, sebacic acid, J which 

 is pretty similar to the acetic. 



483. When secreted from the blood and deposited in 

 the mucous tela, it exists in the form of drops, divided 



* W. Xav. Jansen, Pinguedinis sinimalis Considcratio Physiologica et Pa- 

 thologica. Lugd. Bat. 1784. 8vo. 



f J. D. Branclis, Comm. (rewarded with the Royal Prize) de oleur. ungui- 

 nosor. natura. Getting. 1785. 4to. p. 13. 



J Joach. J. Rhades, De ferro sanguinis hum. aliisque liguidis animalium. 

 ibid. 1753. 4to. ch. 4. 



Dav. H. Knape (Praeside Segnero) De acido pinguedinis animalis. ibid. 

 1754. 4to. 



Laur. Crell, Chemischts Journal. 177ft. P. i. p. 102. 



