272 Dr. Stenhouse on Celine, Ethal, ^c. 



1. 



Carbon 79-72 



Hydrogen .... 13*32 

 Oxygen 6-96 



100-00 100-00 100-00 100-00 

 These analyses differ considerably from that of Chevreul, 

 though I have repeated them with every attention to accuracy. 

 Chevreul found 



Carbon .... 81*660 

 Hydrogen . . . 12*862 

 Oxygen .... 5*578 



100*000 



It is needless, however, at present attempting to deduce 

 any formula from these analyses, as the acids which spermaceti 

 contains have not been accurately determined. Spermaceti is 

 usually supposed to consist of margarate and oleate of ethal. 

 From experiments, I have reason to think that one of them 

 is margaric acid ; but as spermaceti, when distilled, yields no 

 trace of sebacic acid, there is every reason to conclude the 

 other acid it contains, the quantity of which is extremely small, 

 is certainly not the oleic acid. 



In order to ascertain how far cetine differs in composition 

 from ordinary spermaceti, I was induced to submit a portion 

 of the latter also to analysis. The melting point of the crude 

 spermaceti analysed was only 107° F. 



(1.) 0-3279 gave 0-9499 carbonic acid, and 0-3904 water- 

 (2.) 0-349 gave 1*0065 carbonic acid. 

 (3.) 0*3755 gave 1*0887 carbonic acid, and 0*4399 water. 

 1. 



Carbon 80*10 



Hydrogen . . . 13*23 

 Oxygen .... 6-67 



100*00 100-00 



It is evident from these analyses, that the composition of 

 crude spei-maceti is precisely the same with that of the purest 

 cetine. The small quantity of oil, therefore, which accompa- 

 nies the former is probably isomeric with the more solid fat. 



Et/ial. 

 The ethal which I analysed was prepared by saponifying 

 spermaceti with powdered potash. The saponification was 

 twice repeated, in order that none of the spermaceti might 

 escape decomposition. The lime-soap was then formed by 

 precipitation with chloride of calcium- It was dried with a 

 gentle heat and the ethal extracted by sether: alcohol was found 



