Dr. Smithon the Composition of Spermaceti. 307 
that the oil and spermaceti have for one another, is too strong to 
be overcome by this means. Of the truth of this latter supposi- 
tion we have many similar examples, particularly among the fats, 
acircumstance which renders their examination to the present 
day incomplete and imperfect. At some future time my atten- 
tion will be directed to the examination of spermaceti prepared 
in a different manner from that pursued in the present case, par- 
ticularly with the object of ascertaining whether spermaceti can- 
not be so purified as that its saponification will give rise to no 
fluid acid. 
Thus, then, as regards the existence of a fluid acid in sperma- 
ceti, all that can be said is, that from the small quantity found, 
and from other reasons just stated, there are strong reasons for be- 
lieving that it contains none, and that what has been found is due 
to an impurity which is not removed by alcohol of .820. 
Solid Acid resulting from the Saponification of Spermaceti.— 
-Icome now to the second part of the examination, and by far 
most interesting ; that of the solid acid obtained from the sa- 
ponification of spermaceti, for it is this and athal that are the 
essential products resulting from the action of potash upon sper- 
maceti. . ee. ) 
The solid acid obtained in that part of the examination which 
was directed to ascertaining the presence of a fluid acid in sper- 
maceti, and which was crystallized out of alcohol, was found to 
be nearly ina state-of purity. This was dissolved in a mixture 
of equal parts of alcohol and ether, and allowed to crystallize out. 
This operation was repeated two or three times, and the crystal- 
line deposit was then thrown upon a filter and washed with cold 
alcohol of .820. The acid thus obtained was pure, and possessed 
the following properties. ; 
It melted at 130° F., and upon cooling crystallized in-small nee- 
dies, diverging from a number of centres, and when cool is white ; 
it resembles somewhat in appearance wax, it being slightly trans- 
lucent, It was dissolved in all proportions by alcohol of .820.at 
140° F., and upon cooling crystallized out in small needles, which 
collected together in the form of moss, and sometimes in that of 
cauliflower; from this, the alcohol can be poured so as to leave it 
almost perfectly dry. Out of ether this acid crystallized with 
difficulty, owing to its excessive solubility in this menstruum. 
When heated to a high degree, it volatilizes without leaving a 
residue. The alcoholic solution reddens litmus. 
