182 



regards the supposition of a general deviation of the earth's surface 

 in that region from the mean spheroidal form as the most satisfactory 

 mode of accounting for the discrepancy. 



II. " On the Value of Steam in the Decomposition of neutral 

 Fatty Bodies." By GEORGE WILSON, Esq. Communicated 

 by WARREN DE LA RUE, Esq. Received November 30, 

 1854. 



In the course of a long series of experiments conducted on a large 

 scale, the author has observed that the so-called neutral fatty bodies 

 may be resolved, without danger of injurious decomposition, into 

 glycerine and fatty acids, provided the still is maintained at a uni- 

 form high temperature, and that a continuous current of steam is 

 admitted into it. 



The temperature required to effect the splitting of the fats into 

 their proximate elements varies with the nature of the body itself, 

 but all hitherto tried may be resolved into glycerine and fatty acid 

 at a temperature of 560 Fahr., many at much below that tempera- 

 ture. At a further period it is the author's intention to lay before 

 the Society a detailed account of his experiments, with the confirma- 

 tory analyses, but in the mean time he states that palm oil, cocoa- 

 nut oil, fish oil, animal tallow, Bornean vegetable tallow, " Japan 

 vegetable wax" (more properly tallow), and several others have 

 yielded satisfactory results, the fatty acid and glycerine distilling 

 over together, but no longer in combination, and separating in the 

 receiving vessel. 



