308 DR T. H. ROWNEY ON THE AMIDES OF THE FATTY ACIDS. 



oil; also from almond and castor oils, after solidification by nitrous acid, we ob- 

 tain elaidamide and palmamide, these amides being isomeric with oleamide and 

 ricinolamide. 



The only other point to which I shall refer is the temperature at which these 

 amides fuse. M. Boullay states that the fusing point of margaramide is 60° C, 

 but v , according to my own experiments, I have found it to be as high as 103° C, 

 though in the cases of the amides from linseed and croton oils, it was as low as 

 100° C, but this arose from these substances not being perfectly pure; and it is 

 probably a similar cause that occasions the error of M. Boullay. I am also in- 

 clined to think that the fusing points of ricinolamide, 66' C, and isocetamide, 

 67° C, are too low. Isocetamide only differs by 2 C 2 H 2 from margaramide, the 

 fusing point of which is 103° ; and ricinolamide is closely related to oleamide, 

 which has a fusing point of 82° C, and the isomeric amides, palmamide and 

 elaidamide, both fuse at about 94° C. 



In conclusion, I have to express my thanks to Dr Anderson for the use of his 

 laboratory, and also for many suggestions during the progress of this investi- 

 gation. 



