305 



and importance of such a chromatic personal equation was dwelt 

 on at some length. 



3. Researches on the Amides of the Fatty Acids. By 

 Thomas H. E-owney, Ph.D., Assistant to Dr Anderson. 

 Communicated by Dr Anderson. 



The author in this paper gives the details of an examination of 

 the compounds obtained by the action of ammonia on some of the 

 oils and fats. 



The method employed was to mix one volume of the oil, two vo- 

 lumes alcohol, and four volumes of strong aqua ammonise in a stopper- 

 ed bottle, and placing it in a moderately warm situation, the stopper 

 being tied down. Occasional agitation is required. After a time, vary- 

 ing with the oil employed, there is formed a whitish solid matter, which 

 increases in amount as the oil diminishes. Finally, the whole be- 

 comes nearly solid. 



The mass is collected on a cloth filter, washed with a little water, 

 and squeezed, and the residue dissolved in warm alcohol ; the crys- 

 tals deposited on cooling are washed first with dilute spirit, then 

 water, and again expressed, and this was repeated till a resinous 

 matter was removed, which adheres obstinately to the product. 



The amides thus formed, when pure, are white, and permanent 

 in the air, but if any of the resin be present, they soon become 

 yellow and resinous. 



The quantity obtained from different oils varied much. The 

 drying oils yield less of the amides and more resin than the fat oils. 



The oils hitherto examined are almond oil, linseed oil, poppy oil, 

 cod-liver oil, seal oil, and croton oil, besides almond oil and castor 

 oil after solidification by nitrous acid. 



The author describes the properties and gives the analytical de- 

 tails of the amides thus produced, and the results are summed up as 

 follows : — 



Linseed oil, \ 



Poppy oil, and I yield margaramide ; 



Croton oil j 



Almond oil and 1 • n i . , 



Seal oil jyieldoleamide; 



Castor oil yields ricinolamide ; and 



Almond oil and ) after solidification by nitrous f elaidamide and 



Castor oil j acid, yield \ palmamide ; 



