318 Dr. Smith on the Composition of Spermaceti. 
of two or more proximate principles. We have no similar ex- 
ample among the fats. 
Although cholesterine does not undergo any change by the 
action of a solution of potash at 212° Fah., still the analogy be- 
tween it and the spermaceti may exist, for it must be observed 
that cholesterine, having an atomic weight of more than one half 
that of spermaceti, contains only one atom of oxygen, and not 
sufficient to give rise to an acid without the aid of an additional 
quantity, and it is probable that if cholesterine be treated with 
an alkali at a high temperature, that an acid similar to athalic 
acid would be the result, for then oxygen would be furnished 
from the water of the hydrated alkali. 
For the above reasons, spermaceti should be considered a sim- 
ple organic substance, having, as already shown, for its compost 
tion, C,,H,,O,- The action of an alkali upon it, produces @ 
decomposition, which may be represented thus— ’ 
Anhydrous athalic acid in combination ‘ aw: 6 
__with the alkali, get+3iV3 
And hydrated athal, its atom of water 
being obtained from the alkali incom- C,,H,,0 +HO 
bination with the athalic acid, 
enemies Sate 
Spermaceti, plus one atom of water, C,,H,,0,+H9 
Under the head of the distillation of spermaceti, the decompo- 
sition brought about by the action of heat was shown to be rep- 
resented thus— 
Hydrated athalic acid, - “ C,.H,,9, 
Coterl, 5+ Se TERNS mr ee Ts 
Spermacetiy ...- spc oe ge Cy Hy 
Oxidation of Spermacett. 
Having made mention of the oxidation of spermaceti, as one 
of the evidences of the non-existence of oleic acid in this sub- 
stance, I shall give a short statement of what has been done - 
der this head, although but little, owing to the difficulty of 1s0- 
lating the products that are formed. 
- Wher | nitric acid and spermaceti are heated together, a gentle 
action takes place, and nitrous acid fumes are given off; at the 
end of three or four days, the spermaceti still floats upon the sur 
face of ) ae ens | Ll a: Be 
Shia. efetia- - a ee a having 
x mc: , —— - - i pik 
ee ee 
