220 
PRODUCTS OF FAT BODIES. 
common chemical processes. There are two kinds of yeast 
used in brewing Bavarian beer. The fermentation caused 
by one is tumultuous, that produced by the other is 
tranquil. They, therefore, induct the peculiar state of 
transposition in which their atoms are upon the elements 
of the sugar. The same is the case with the vaccine 
virus of the cow and small-pox ; the one of which ^produces 
a violent action upon the constituents of the blood, whilst 
the other causes a gentle action, quite distinct from the 
former. 
ART. XLI1I. — ON THE CONSTITUTION AND PRODUCT OF 
THE DISTILLATION OF FAT BODIES. By Professor Redten- 
bacher and Dr. Varrentrapp. 
The object of this paper was to show that the composition 
of the fat acids has hitherto been erroneously stated. A variety 
of acids were subjected to examination, such as stearic, mar- 
garic, oleic, and sebacic acid. Margaric and stearic acids, 
were shown to possess the same radical ; the former being 
the higher, the latter the lower oxide of it. This radical has 
the formula of C 34 H 33 , and may be represented by the sym- 
bol Ma ; Thus stearic acid is 2Ma-j-50; whilst margaric acid 
is lMa + 30. They thus resemble sulphuric and hyposul- 
phuric acids. Margaric acid is one of the products of the dis- 
tillation of stearic acid ; the oxidation of the latter also causes 
the formation of the former. Oleic acid was analysed by these 
gentlemen, having been obtained in a pure state. The results 
are principally numerical, and are stated in Liebig's Journal 
for 1840. 
Trans, of British Association, for 1840. 
