76 
MISCELLANY. 
lyric acid. The ashes of the sap contained soda and traces of potash, 
in combination with carbonic and phosphoric acids. In addition to these 
substances, there were magnesia and a small quantity of lime. 
These results are nearly the same as those at which the predecessors 
ofM. Heintzhad arrived. This chemist analysed, with much care, all 
the resinous or waxy substances he found in the sap; but it appears 
unnecessary for me to give the formulae he calculated, for they are com- 
pletely arbitrary, and do not apply to definite compounds. — Chemist . 
On the Composition of Linseed Oil and its Products^ by Oxidation. 
By Dr. F. Sacc. — The conclusions drawn by Dr. Sacc, from his ex- 
periments on linseed oil, are, that this substance consists of margaric 
acid and oleic acid, combined in equal equivalents with acroleine. By 
oxidation with nitric acid, we obtain margaric acid, oxalic acid, suberic 
acid, pimelinic acid, carbonic acid, and water. 
The oleic acid of linseed oil differs in composition from the oleic acid 
of other fatty bodies ; the formula of the anhydrous acid is C46 H38 O5. 
The margaric acid of linseed oil is identical with that of other fatty 
bodies, its composition being C34 H33 O3. The glycerine, which is ob- 
tained in great quantity from linseed oil, is also similar to that procured 
from other fats. 
By oxidation, the oleic acid yields suberic acid, which again is de- 
composed into a volatile fatty substance. 
The pure margaric acid yields on oxidation succinic acid, but no su- 
beric acid or pimelinic acid. 
The pimelinic acid is formed, by a transformation of the suberic acid 
when succinic acidjs present. There exists a peculiar fatty substance 
of very singular properties, forming the link between the oleic acid 
and the suberic acid. — Pharm. Journ. from Jinn, der Ckem. und Pharm. 
On the Yellow Colour which the Unguentum Iodidi Potassii acqiiire s 
by keeping. By Kallhofert. — 1. I melted the fat obtained from the 
viscera of a recently slaughtered pig in vessels of silver, platinum, iron, 
tin, glass, porcelain, and in glazed earthen vessels, but observed that all 
the specimens thus prepared bore the same relation to iodide of po- 
tassium. All the ointments thus prepared, remained perfectly white 
during the first four days ; but after the lapse of ten days, assumed a 
yellow colour. 
2. Ung. potassii iodidi, when perfectly white, instantly turned yellow 
on addition of a few drops of the essential oils of lavender, thyme, cloves, 
and more especially of valerian and cinnamon. 
