ON ADIPOCIRE, AND ITS FORMATION. 9 
reservoir of the thermometer, that the different capillary tubes may be readily slipped in 
and out on raising the thermometer from the water; the heat from the lamp must be such 
that the temperature of the water rises gradually; the capillary tubes are so placed that 
they lie closely to the mercury of the thermometer, and when the temperature approaches 
the melting point, the water is stirred with the thermometer to equalize the heat, the lamp 
is then removed, and the point of solidification observed in the usual way. I doubt very 
much the use of noting the point of solidification, as it is influenced so much by extraneous 
circumstances. The cooling of water and certain salts below their solidifying points, is 
well known, and the same must take place in these instances. Heintz has noticed how 
the thermometer rose ten degrees in determining the solidifying point of melted human 
fat. In one of my experiments, the fat in the tube was separated by minute air globules 
into three or four columns, quite close together; in observing the fusing point, they ail 
melted at the same instant; but in solidifying, one would be quite clear while those on 
either side had become opaque, no matter how much the tube was stirred or vibrated by 
striking the beaker glass. After having observed this in several instances, | abandoned 
taking the points of solidification, and modified the process for the fusing point, by keeping 
the water as near that point as possible, and repeatedly lifting the thermometer and 
attached capillary tube out of the water for a few seconds, that the fat might solidify, and 
noting the fusing point as that at which it at once becomes liquid; this point is reached 
twice; first, when the water is being heated, and secondly, as it is cooling: I have found 
by repetition of the same experiment, that the degree thus obtained, is constant from the 
first, and I think gives the most accurate results. The mode of using capillary tubes for 
the fusing points, is convenient, as, at the close of the experiment, they can be sealed at 
the open end, and placed on a card with descriptions, for future reference. I weighed 
the quantity of fat in one instance, and found that half a milligramme was much more 
than enough to obtain the melting point with the capillary tube. 
(>) HUMAN ADIPOCIRE. 
Towards the close of the year 1853, I visited a grave yard in Philadelphia, the remains of 
which were being removed, and from which, through the kindness of the superintendant, 
I obtained specimens of adipocire and valuable information. The surface of the burial ground 
was depressed about four or six feet below that of the neighbouring streets, and was of a very 
moist nature. Many of the bodies were converted more or less into adipocire, and of these, 
all had been large persons. There was none among the remains of children. I obtained 
specimens from two persons. 
No. 1, was from a large man, which had been buried from ten to fifteen years; the 
VOL. XI.—2 
