135 



pie distillation, but that oleic acid gave an oily fluid and crystals si- 

 milar to those produced from the crude oil. 



The crystalline matter obtained from oleic acid, was an acid, and 

 possessed all the properties of margaric acid; but being formed in 

 very small quantity, the author, in obtaining it for analysis, made 

 use of almond oil, expressed at a low temperature, which, by a com- 

 parative experiment, was found to yield no margaric acid when dis- 

 tilled alone. The analysis of this acid gave the following results, 

 which correspond with those of margaric acid : — 



Experiment. Calculated, 



C34 . . 75-27 75-40 75-55 



Hm . . 12-51 12-66 12-59 



O4 . . 12-22 11-94 11-86 



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The silver-salt gave 28'53 and 28-70 per cent, of silver, the cal- 

 culated results being 28*65, and the analysis of its ether was like- 

 wise found to correspond to margaric ether. 



The oil which distilled along with this substance, and which pos- 

 sessed a most disgusting odour, was rectified ; the product collected in 

 separate portions, and analysed ; but without affording concordant 

 results. It was found, however, to contain a substance capable of 

 giving precipitates with corrosive sublimate and bichloride of pla- 

 tinum. 



The precipitate obtained by corrosive sublimate was purified by 

 washing with ether and solution in boiling alcohol, from which it is 

 deposited on cooling. It then forms a white pearly powder, which, 

 under the microscope, presents the appeai-ance of tabular crystals. 

 It is insoluble in water and ether, sparingly soluble in alcohol, and 

 rather more so in coal-naphtha. It gave to analysis the following 

 results, corresponding to the formula C^e Hie S5 Hg^ Ch. 



100-49 100-00 



