MM. Redtenbacher, Varrentrapp, Mayer and Bromeis. 1 1 7 



large tables, and melts at 112° Fahrenheit. It is easily solu- 

 ble in alcohol, from which it separates in crystals like benzoic 

 acid. It is also soluble in aether. These solutions react acid. 



When elaidic acid is treated with a great excess of caustic 

 potash it is completely decomposed, and a new acid formed 

 identical with that which Varrentrapp had found oleic acid to 

 give under the same circumstances : with carbonated alkalies 

 it produces, however, soaps from which it separates on the 

 addition of a stronger acid unchanged. 



The elaidates of silver, lead, and barytes are voluminous 

 white precipitates; that of silver may be obtained crystallized 

 from an ammoniacal solution.? 



Numerous analyses of crystallized elaidic acid gave for its 

 composition as follows : 



72 atoms of Carbon... 5503*3 78-04. 



68 Hydrogen 84'8-6 12-03 



7 Oxygen... 700-0 9-93 



7051-9 100-00 



The elaidate of silver consisted of 



72 atoms of Carbon 5503-3 56'B6 



66 Hydrogen 823-6 8-46 



5 Oxygen 500-0 5-14 



2 Oxide of silver 2903-2 29-84 



9730-1 100-00 



Its formula is therefore C72 Hyg 05 + 2Ag O; and the cry- 

 stallized acid is expressed by C70 HgQ O5 + 2 Aq, it being a 

 bibasic acid. 



The composition of the elaidic aether agrees also with these 

 results ; it consists of 



76 atoms of Carbon = 5809-1 78-42 



72 Hydrogen... 898-5 12-J3 



7 Oxygen 700-0 9-45 



7407-6 100-00 



Its formula is Uierefore C-, H,,,,. O5+C4 IL, O + Aq. 

 These results differ totally from those given by Laurent, 

 who evidently worked upon an impure substance. 



Sebacic acid. — This acid is produced whenever any fatty 

 substances, as the fat oils, lard, &c. are distilled. Its com- 

 position has been ascertained by lledtenbaclier, who con- 

 firmed fully the result long since given by Dumas, that the 

 formula of the crystallized acid is C,o Hg Oa + Aq. 



