72 PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 



then washed in water, cut into thin pieces with a wooden 

 knife, and exposed to the air to dry. 



It is usually in the form of glossy white flakes, semi- 

 transparent and friable. It melts at 112, and may be dis- 

 tilled without experiencing great change. About 150 parts 

 of boiling alcohol dissolve 1 of spermaceti, which is ^again 

 deposited as the solution cools. 



It is used in medicine, and in the arts to make candles. 



2. Ambergrease. This substance is of a whitish colour, 

 brittle, adheres like wax to the edge of the knife with 

 which it is scraped. Its specific gravity varies from 780 

 to 926, At 122 it melts, and at 212 it is volatilized. It 

 is insoluble in water. Alcohol, and the volatile oils, dis- 

 solve it. With alkalies it forms a soap soluble in water. 

 According to BOUILLON LA GRANGE, it is composed of 



52.7 Adipocere, 



30.8 Rezin, 

 5.4 Charcoal. 



It is found in the intestines of the spermaceti whale, and 

 in those only which are in a sickly state. It appears to be 

 the excrement altered by long retention in the intestines, 

 and therefore scarcely merits a place among the natural in- 

 gredients of the animal system. Upon being voided by the 

 animal, it floats on the surface of the sea, and has been 

 found in various quarters of the globe. It usually contains 

 the beaks of cuttle-fish adhering to it. 



It is employed in small quantities by druggists and per- 

 fumers. 



3. Fat. Fat is usually purified by separating the vessels 

 and membranes which adhere to it, by repeatedly washing 

 with cold water, and afterwards melting it along with boil- 

 ing water. Still, however, it consists of .two substances, 

 suet and oil. CUEVREUL attempted to separate them, by 



