II. On the acids contained in crab-oil

Crab-oil is obtained from the nuts of a tree named by botanistsHylo carpus carapa , and alsoCarapa Guianensis . The tree grows abundant in the forests of British Guiana ; the oil is prepared by the Indians, whi bring it to George Town for sale. The oil is obtained from the kernels b boiling them for some time, and then placing them in heaps and leaving them for some days; they are then skinned, and afterwards triturated is wooden mortars until reduced to a paste, which is spread on inclined board and exposed to the sun; the oil is thus melted out, and trickles into receiving-vessels. As no investigation, so far as I have been able to ascertain, has ever been made of the acids contained in this oil, Professor Galloway, to whom I am indebted for the samples of the oil, recommended me to examine them; and the examination was conducted under his direction.