possessing the properties of TaUow. 179 



light, since the inhabitants of India, as is well known, do not use 

 candles, but lamps exclusively ; for the supply of which they are 

 furnished by nature with several fluid vegetable oils ia abund- 

 ance. 



I proceed to detail some experiments which I have made on this 

 substance, with a view to determine its utility, as well as its com- 

 position and habitudes. 



The specific gravity of Piney Tallow at the melting pointi 

 namely at 97^°. Fahrenheit, is .8965, and at 60° is .9260. 



Chlorine, when passed through it in the melting state, some- 

 what darkens its colour, changing it to a pale and dirty green. 

 It also imparts to it a very remarkable odour, much resembling 

 that of the rind of cucumber. 



Alcohol, specific gravity .820, temperature, 55°, separated 

 from 200 grains finely powdered, only 4 grains of a fat oil, which 

 remained fluid at a temperature of 40°, thus confirming the result 

 deducible from the exposure to pressure already mentioned, 

 namely, that very little elain is contained in the substance. This 

 alcohol, in repeated portions of which the powder was digested, 

 until no more oil was taken up, also dissolved the colouring mat- 

 ter and the aroma ; and on evaporation, these became united with 

 the oil, leaving it of a deep amber hue and fragrant odour. 



Alcohol, when boiled upon the melted Piney Tallow, besides 

 this oil took up a small quantity of the less fusible part, which was 

 deposited on cooling in minute tufts of a crystalline structure. 

 The tallow thus left after the separation of the elain, had a greater 

 tendency to crystallize, and to contract in cooling. It was nearly 

 colourless and free from smell, and its melting point was raised 

 to 99°. 



The fixed alkalies digested on Piney Tallow form with it a 

 saponaceous compound, but a practical soap manufacturer pro- 

 nounces that he does not succeed in eft'ecting a union, so as to 

 form a marketable soap. It is however difficult, when operating 

 on a very small quantity, to form an accurate judgment on this 

 point, although, that it differs somewhat from animal tallow, pro- 

 bably in partaking of the nature of wax, seems pretty certain. 



N2 



