CERUMEN. 35") 



alcohol, and water, is, next to the fat, the largest : acetic acid 

 causes it to swell, and only takes up a very small portion of an 

 albuminous matter. The residue (consisting evidently of nothing 

 but epithelium-cells) is partly soluble in free potash, from which 

 it cannot be again precipitated by acetic acid; ferrocyanide 

 of potassium causes no precipitate in the acid solution, but 

 infusion of galls a very copious one. Another portion of the 

 residue, when heated with a concentrated solution of potash, 

 enters into combinations which are not soluble in that fluid, 

 but which are soluble in water, similar to what is observed in 

 the urine. 



This investigation shows that the ear-wax is an emulsive com- 

 pound, which contains a soft fat, albumen, a peculiar extractive 

 bitter matter, epithelium-scales, lactate of lime, and an alkaline 

 lactate, but no chlorides and no phosphates soluble in water. 



