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entirely of organic substances, and of these the following 
were distinctly recognised : — 
1. A species of vegetable wax. 
2. A fatty acid. 
3. 4. Colouring matters. 
5. Pectic acid. 
6. A trace of albuminous matter. 
The author described the method employed by him for 
separating these substances from one another and obtaining 
them in a state of purity; and he then gave an account of 
their properties and composition. 
The waxy matter is by far the most interesting of these 
substances. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in 
alcohol and ether. If a concentrated solution in boiling 
alcohol be allowed to cool, the greatest part is deposited, 
causing the liquid to assume the appearance of a thick 
white jelly, consisting of microscopic needles or scales. 
When this jelly is filtered off and dried it shrinks very 
much, and is converted into a coherent cake, which has a 
waxy lustre and is translucent, friable and lighter than 
water. Its melting point is between 83° and 84° C. At a 
higher temperature it is volatilised. When heated on 
platinum it burns with a very bright flame. The author 
thinks it probable that this substance covers the cotton 
fibres with a thin waxy film, and thus imparts to them their 
well-known property of resisting water. In its properties 
and composition it approaches very nearly the better known 
vegetable waxes, such as that obtained by Avequin from 
the leaves of the sugar cane, and that which is found on the 
leaves of the Carnauba palm. The author thinks that the 
name cotton wax is sufficient to distinguish it from these 
and other nearly allied bodies. 
The fatty acid has the properties and composition of 
margaric acid. It is white and crystalline, fuses at 53° C., 
