444 Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society. 



The only important point of difference to be noted in the above 

 table is in regard to the iodine value, which by Hubl's method I 

 found to be nil in the case of berry wax, indicating the absence of 

 unsaturated acids, including, of course, oleic acid. It appears 

 possible that Lewkowitsch bases his statement regarding the 

 presence of oleic acid on an iodine value calculated from a bromine 

 value, and not on an iodine value directly determined, which alone 

 would be conclusive evidence. 



The absence of unsaturated acids in berry wax no doubt accounts 

 for the stability of this fat at comparatively high temperatures. I 

 have for some years found it an excellent material for use in the oil 

 bath. Even after repeated heating the bath compares very favour- 

 ably with, for instance, melted paraffin wax, giving off very little 

 odour or obnoxious vapour, even at 300° C, and having a very high 

 flashpoint. 



Victoria College, Stellenbosch. 



