X. On the conversion of animal substances into a fatty matter much resembling Spermaceti

Abstract

In a paper which the Royal Society have done me the honour of inserting in the last Volume of their Transactions, I related some experiments on the decomposition of animal muscle. I regret that it has not been in my power to pursue these inquiries with the attention the subject seems to demand. I beg leave, however, to present the few additional facts contained in this paper, not by any means as a full investigation of the subject, but as serving to excite the attention of those, who have more opportunities, and are better qualified, to pursue such inquiries. I mentioned in my former paper, that the substance procured either by means of water, or the nitrous acid, appeared to me to have precisely the same external characters; but I have observed since, that there is a difference between that which I obtain from quadrupeds, and that which is procured from the human subject: the former seems not disposed to crystallize, while the latter assumes a very beautiful and regular crystalline appearance.