Dr. Smith on the Composition of Spermaceti. 307 



that the oil and spermaceti have for one another, is too strong to 

 be overcome by this means. Of the truth of this latter supposi- 

 tion we have many similar examples, particularly among the fats, 

 a circumstance which renders their examination to the present 

 day incomplete and imperfect. At some future tim.e my atten- 

 tion will be directed to the examination of spermaceti prepared 

 in a different manner from that pursued in the present case, par- 

 ticularly with the object of ascertaining whether spermaceti can- 

 not be so purified as that its saponification will give rise to no 

 fluid acid. 



Thus, then, as regards the existence of a fluid acid in sperma- 

 ceti, all that can be said is, that from the small quantity found, 

 and from other reasons just stated, there are strong reason^ for be- 

 lieving that it contains none, and that what has been found is due 

 to an impurity which is not removed by alcohol of .820. 



Solid Acid resulting from the Saponification of Spermaceti. — 

 I come now to the second part of the examination, and by far 

 the most interesting ; that of the solid acid obtained from the sa- 

 ponification of spermaceti, for it is this and athal that are the 

 essential products resulting from the action of potash upon sper- 

 maceti. 



The solid acid obtained in that part of the examination which 

 was directed to ascertaining the presence of a fluid acid in sper- 

 maceti, and which was crystallized out of alcohol, was found to 

 be nearly in a state of purity. This was dissolved in a mixture 

 of equal parts of alcohol and ether, and allowed to crystallize out. 

 This operation was repeated two or three times, and the crystal- 

 line deposit was then thrown upon a filter and washed with cold 

 alcohol of .820. The acid thus obtained was pure, and possessed 

 the following properties. 



It melted at 130° F., and upon cooling crystallized in small nee- 

 dles, diverging from a number of centres, and when cool is white ; 

 it resembles somewhat in appearance wax, it being slightly trans- 

 lucent. It was dissolved in all proportions by alcohol of .820 at 

 140° F., and upon cooling crystallized out in small needles, which 

 collected together in the form of moss, and sometimes in that of 

 cauliflower; from this, the alcohol can be poured so as to leave it 

 almost perfectly dry. Out of ether this acid crystallized with 

 difficulty, owing to its excessive solubility in this menstruum. 

 When heated to a high degree, it volatilizes without leaving a 

 residue. The alcoholic solution reddens litmus. 



