1908.| Destiny of Cholesterol in the Anomal Organism. 229 
The non-crystalline oily matters obtained from all the mother liquors in 
the above-mentioned fractional crystallisation processes were treated in 
pyridine solution with benzoyl chloride, in order to separate as benzoate any 
cholesterol that might have been retained in solution in the oils. In a few 
experiments, small amounts of cholesterol benzoate were obtained in this 
way from these oils, but in most cases none was found. The following is a 
brief account of the results of our experiments, using seven different 
diets :— 
(a) Oatmeai Porridge and Milk.—The oatmeal was well boiled with water 
containing a little salt, and milk added. During 21 days the dog consumed 
3865 grammes of coarse oatmeal—or 184 grammes per day, and 2340 c.c. of 
cow's milk, z.¢., 128 grammes per day. During this period 1539 grammes of 
natural undried feces were obtained. 
On saponification in the manner described, a very large quantity of slimy 
soap was obtained, which was difficult to filter and wash with ether, and 
consequently had to be dried and re-extracted in the Soxhlet with ether. 
The unsaponifiable matter was obtained in the form of a red viscid oil, having 
a slight odour of peppermint. This oil was for the most part soluble in hot 
acetone, leaving a small amount of red slimy matter. On standing, the 
acetone deposited highly coloured and somewhat sticky crystalline matter. 
This was recrystalliged from alcohol, when 0:95 gramme of brown crystalline 
matter wes obtained. The alcoholic mother liquors, on standing, deposited 
some oily substance, and finally, on evaporating to small bulk, 0°35 gramme 
of sandy amorphous solid, which would not crystallise. The 0°95 gramme 
of coloured crystalline matter was recrystallised several times from 
85-per-cent. alcohol, and was eventually obtained in three fractions, white 
in colour, and melting respectively at 134°, 137° to 139°, and 132° to 133°. 
The total weight was 0°5 gramme. A microscopic examination showed that 
these crystals consisted entirely of cholesterol. This was confirmed by 
conversion into the benzoate, which in each case melted correctly, and showed 
the colour changes in a well-marked manner. All the mother liquors were 
evaporated to dryness, and gave a stiff red oil. This dissolved for the most 
part in cold petrol, leaving 0-1 gramme of a red sandy solid melting at 
120° to 130°. | 
On evaporating off the petrol, a viscid oil was obtained, which, on long 
standing, set to a crystalline waxy mass, weighing 1:25 grammes. This wax 
was dissolved in ethyl acetate, and, on standing, long white needle-shaped 
crystals separated, mixed with red colouring matter. The weight of crude 
crystals was 0°28 gramme. They were rather difficult to purify, but were 
eventually obtained in the form of glistening pearly leaflets easily soluble in 
