304 Dr. Smith on the Composition of Spermaceti. 
The examination was directed to two points in particular ; first, 
to the ascertaining whether spermaceti contained oleic acid ; an 
secondly, whether the solid acid obtained by Chevreul in his re- 
searches upon this body was margaric acid. 
The saponification of the spermaceti being the first step neces- 
sary in this examination, it was of some importance to make use 
of that method which would bring about the change the most 
easily. Chevreul digested the spermaceti with a strong solution 
of potash fora number of days to effect this change; but Dumas, 
in speaking of the easiest manner of obtaining athal from it, re- 
commends that it should be saponified by fusing it with one half 
its weight of potash, and as by this latter means the process is 
completed in about one hour, it seemed to me the most preferable 
and was consequently adopted. 
Two ounces of spermaceti was fused with one half its weight . 
of powdered potash, care being taken that the temperature did 
not rise above 230° Fah.; the mass soon became solid, it was 
then allowed to cool, and afterwards treated with boiling water, 
which dissolved that portion of it which consisted of the acids, 
arising from the saponification in combination with potash, the 
other portion, consisting of athal and undecomposed spermaceti, 
was held in suspension. To the fused mass, treated as just men- 
tioned with boiling water, was added hydrochloric acid, which — 
decomposed the soap in solution and liberated the acid which it 
contained, and this acid being fusible at a temperature much be- 
low that of boiling water, melted and arose to the surface along 
with the athal and undecomposed spermaceti. ‘This mixture 
upon cooling was again fused with pulverized potash, for the pul- 
pose of acting upon that’ part of the spermaceti which was not 
yet decomposed. After this second fusion it was again dissolved 
in hot water, which solution, holding athal in suspension, WS 
treated with a solution of chloride of calcium, and by double 
decomposition a combination of the acids resulting from the 84 
ponification of spermaciti and lime was obtained, which though 
Was mixed with athal. 
‘The water was filtered away from the mixture of the lime 
salt and athal, and the mass being dried, was treated with warm 
aleohol of 820, which dissolved the athal, and by repeatedly 
washing the lime salt upon a filter with warm alcohol, and lastly 
with ether, until the liquid that passed through gave upon eaP 
F. 
