286 M. Chevreul on Faltij Bodies', and [Oct. 



delphinate of strontian ; the result was 0-1170 parts of sulphate 

 of lime representing 0-0486 of base. Hence we have, 



Acid 1514 100 



Lime 486 32; which 



contains 9-011*2 of oxygen. 



The solutions of the delphinate of strontian and of lime, 

 placed under receivers containing quick-lime, crystallized in long- 

 prisms. The crystals of the delphinate of strontian became of 

 an opaque white, in consequence of their efflorescing. The 

 delphinate of barytes did not crystallize under the same circum- 

 stances. 



After having thus made us acquainted with many of the proper- 

 ties of the delphinic acid, M. Chevreul proceeds to inquire, what 

 relation the oil of the Delphinus bears to the delphinic acid. 

 This is a question which he is not at present able to answer in a 

 satisfactory manner, because it would require the elementary 

 analysis of the oil and its acid, which has not been yet accom- 

 plished • but the following points may be considered as esta- 

 blished. 



When the oil is treated with a base, which, like magnesfa, 

 has a strong tendency to neutralize acids, without, however, 

 having the property of determining the transformation of a fatty 

 body into the margaric and oleic acids, scarcely any delphinic 

 acid can be separated from the oil. In order to procure the 

 acid, the oil must be treated with a base which is sufficiently 

 powerful to transform a portion of it into the sweet principle, and 

 into the margaric and oleic acids. Without deciding whether 

 this acid be a product or an educt, it must be admitted that the oil 

 of the Delphinus contains a quantity of matter which experiences 

 the same change with the fatty bodies that have been described 

 in the earlier memoirs ; and besides this, a quantity of matter 

 which produces the delphinic acid. 



From this result, it seems that we are acquainted with no 

 substances which more resemble the one in question than the 

 hydrochloric, acetic, and other ethers, which do not act upon 

 vegetable colours, but which, however, yield on analysis a con- 

 siderable quantity of carbon and hvdrogen, besides the elements 

 of the hydrochloric and acetic acids. The volatility of the ethers, 

 compared to the fixedness of the oil, should not be considered 

 as an objection to this analogy, since the volatility of ammonia is 

 not so to the analogy of this substance with the fixed alkalies : 

 it must, however, be observed that the analogy is in the first 

 case an analogy of composition, and in the second an analogy of 

 properties. If we are to expect any aid in the prosecution of 

 the science of natural history from chemical analysis, the com- 

 position of the oil of the Delphinus will be an object deserving 

 our attention, as it appears to be unlike any thing else with 

 which we are acquainted, except the oil of butter. 



5 



