318 Dr. Smith on the Composition of Spermaceti. 



of two or more proximate principles. We have no similar ex- 

 ample among the fats. 



Although cholesterine does not undergo any change by the 

 action of a solution of potash at 212° Fah., still the analogy be- 

 tween it and the spermaceti may exist, for it must be observed 

 that cholesterine, having an atomic weight of more than one half 

 that of spermaceti, contains only one atom of oxygen, and not 

 sufficient to give rise to an acid without the aid of an additional 

 quantity, and it is probable that if cholesterine be treated with 

 an alkali at a high temperature, that an acid similar to athalic 

 acid would be the result, for then oxygen would be furnished 

 from the water of the hydrated alkali. 



For the above reasons, spermaceti should be considered a sim- 

 ple organic substance, having, as already shown, for its composi- 

 tion, Cg^Hg^O^. The action of an alkali upon it, produces a 

 decomposition, which may be represented thus — 



Anhydrous athalic acid in combination ? p rr n 

 with the alkali, ^ ^32-^13 1'-'a 



And hydrated athal, its atom of water ") 



being obtained from the alkali in com- > C32H33O -[-HO 

 bination with the athalic acid, j 



Spermaceti, plus one atom of water, Cg^Hg^O^+HO 

 Under the head of the distillation of spermaceti, the decompo- 

 sition brought about by the action of heat was shown to be rep- 

 resented thus — 



Hydrated athalic acid, - - C32H32O4 

 Ceten, Cg.Hg^ 



Spermaceti, - - . - - Cg^Hg^O^ 

 Oxidation of Spermaceti. 



Having made mention of the oxidation of spermaceti, as one 

 of the evidences of the non-existence of oleic acid in this sub- 

 stance, I shall give a short statement of what has been done un- 

 der this head, although but little, owing to the difficulty of iso- 

 lating the products that are formed. 



When nitric acid and spermaceti are heated together, a gentle 

 action takes place, and nitrous acid fumes are given off; at the 

 end of three or four days, the spermaceti still floats upon the sur- 

 face of the acid, but considerably changed in its nature, having 



