304 Dr. Smith on the Composition of Spermaceti. 



The examination was directed to two points in particular ; first, 

 to the ascertaining whether spermaceti contained oleic acid ; and 

 secondly, whether the solid acid obtained by Chevreul in his re- 

 searches upon this body was margaric acid. 



The saponification of the spermaceti being the first step neces- 

 sary in this examination, it was of some importance to make use 

 of that method which would bring about the change the most 

 easily. Chevreul digested the spermaceti with a strong solution 

 of potash for a number of days to effect this change ; but Dumas, 

 in speaking of the easiest manner of obtaining athal from it, re- 

 commends that it should be saponified by fusing it with one half 

 its weight of potash, and as by this latter means the process is 

 completed in about one hour, it seemed to me the most preferable 

 and was consequently adopted. 



Two ounces of spermaceti was fused with one half its weight 

 of powdered potash, care being taken that the temperature did 

 not rise above 230° Fah. ; the mass soon became solid, it was 

 then allowed to cool, and afterwards treated with boiling water, 

 which dissolved that portion of it which consisted of the acids, 

 arising from the saponification in combination with potash, the 

 other portion, consisting of athal and undecomposed spermaceti, 

 was held in suspension. To the fused mass, treated as just men- 

 tioned with boiling water, was added hydrochloric acid, which 

 decomposed the soap in solution and liberated the acid which it 

 contained, and this acid being fusible at a temperature much be- 

 low that of boiling water, melted and arose to the surface along 

 with the athal and undecomposed spermaceti. This mixture 

 upon cooling was again fused with pulverized potash, for ihe pur- 

 pose of acting upon that part of the spermaceti which was not 

 yet decomposed. After this second fusion it was again dissolved 

 in hot water, which solution, holding athal in suspension, was 

 treated with a solution of chloride of calcium, and by double 

 decomposition a combination of the acids resulting from the sa- 

 ponification of spermaciti and lime was obtained, which though 

 was mixed with athal. 



The water was filtered away from the mixture of the lime 

 salt and athal, and the mass being dried, was treated with warm 

 alcohol of .820, which dissolved the athal, and by repeatedly 

 washing the lime salt upon a filter with warm alcohol, and lastly 

 with ether, until the liquid that passed through gave upon evap- 



