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Dr. Smith on the Composition of Spermaceti. 311 
Conclusion as regards the Composition of Spermaceti consid- 
ered as a fat.—Before coming to this conclusion, a résumé will 
be made of the results, that have been arrived at in the different 
steps of this investigation. As regards athal, or what is consider- 
ed the base of spermaceti, nothing has been brought to light to 
change in any way the statements made concerning its nature. 
Oleic and margaric acids have been proved not to exist in sper- 
maceti. From the saponification of spermaceti. prepared as it 
was for these experiments, a small quantity of a fluid acid was 
obtained, but for reasons before stated, considered as an impurity. 
The acid product arising from the saponification of spermaceti, 
was found to consist almost entirely of athalic acid. 
From these facts. spermaceti, considered as a fat, (I make this 
qualification, as a little farther on it will be attempted to be shown 
that it is not properly speaking a fatty body,) is composed of one 
acid and one base, the former being athalic acid, and the latter 
 athal, and it is therefore an athalate of athal, consisting of 
Atomic weight. 
One atom anhydrous athalic acid, C,,H,,0,, 249.18 
One atom anhydrous athal, C,,H,,0, 235.18 
One atom spermaceti, . : C,,H,,0,, 484.36 
That this is no doubt the true composition of spermaceti, will 
be seen by the results afforded by the analysis of this substance, 
prepared by erystallizing it out of absolute alcohol. 
Exp. 1. 0.306 gram. spermaceti burnt with the bioxide of 
copper, ‘gave 0. 8945 gram. carbonic acid, and 0.370 gram. water. 
Exp. 2. 0.2385 gram. spermaceti burnt with the bioxide of 
copper, gave 0.691 gram. carbonic acid, and 0.282 gram. water. 
Exp. 3. 0.408 gram. spermaceti burnt with the chromate of 
lead, gave 1.198 gram. carbonic acid, and 0.486 gram. water. 
Exp. 4. 0.314 gram. spermaceti burnt with the bioxide of 
copper and oxygen, gave 0.913 gram. carbonic acid, and 0.370 
gram. water. i ame 
Exp. 5. 0.212 gram. spermaceti burnt with the bioxide of 
copper and chlorate of potash, gave 0.625 gram. carbonic acid, 
and 0.252 gram. water. 
Comparing the per centage of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, 
afforded by these experiments, with that given by the supposed 
composition of spermaceti, (C,,H,,0,,) we have in 100 parts 
