hereinbefore described; by which process the elaine will be pressed out combined with its solvent, and the stearine will remain in bags or wrappers.

The stearine can be made into candles or other useful articles, or manufactured into a substance to be used as a substitute for bees-wax, as hereinafter described; and the elaine combined with its solvents may be applied to the purposes of burning in lamps for giving light, and of lubricating machinery.

Thirdly, any of the substances included under head the eighth, of which those made from tallow are best, are to be melted and mixed in the fluid state with any · of the substances included under heads sixth and seventh, also melted and in a fluid state, in the propor-> tions of three parts of the former to one of the latter, or in any other suitable proportions, accordingly as the resulting compound to be used as a substitute for beeswax is required more or less tenacious. For the smaller, the proportion of any of the substances included under head the eighth, the stronger or more tenacious is the compound of the substances included under head the sixth; resin melted with four times its weight of shell-lac is best adapted.

It will also be well to state here, that shell-lac will not melt and mix with the substances included under head the eighth, unless previously united with the resin, mastic, or such like resins; and also that caoutchouc, copal, &c., will not unite well with the substances included under head the eighth, unless previously dissolved, as mentioned and contained under head the seventh.

Fourthly, any of the substances included under the heads third, fourth, and fifth, are to be mixed with any of the substances included under the heads second and

ninth, in proportions varying according to the dissolving strengths of the former, or soluble qualities of the latter, for the purpose of rendering the latter more liquid and better adapted for burning in oil lamps of common construction for the purpose of affording light.

Fifthly, any of the substances included under head the fourth, are to be mixed with any of the substances included under head the third, particularly coal, tar, naptha, and caoutchouc naptha, in the proportions of one part of the latter to three of the former, for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned, and for burning in common oil lamps to give light.

The Patentee says in conclusion, "I claim as my invention the raising of palm oil to the temperature at which incipient decomposition begins and vapour flies off, and the keeping it at that temperature a short time, for the purpose of facilitating the separation of the stearine from the elaine thereof. The mixing of any of the substances included under head the first, for the purpose of facilitating the separation of the stearine from the elaine; and also the mixing of those included under heads third and fifth, with those included under heads second and ninth, for the purpose of rendering them more liquid and better adapted for burning in oil lamps of common construction to give light. The mixing of any of the substances included under heads sixth and seventh with any of the substances included under head the eighth, for the purpose of making substances or materials to be used as a substitute for bees-wax, and also the mixing of any of the substances included under head the third with any of the substances included under head the fourth, for the purposes mentioned; but I do not claim the pressing of any of the materials separately, but only in combination with

the solvents herein before described, for separating the products above mentioned, such pressing having been before employed to some of the matters separately.". [Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, May, 1837.]

To JOHN FREDERICK WILLIAM HEMPEL, of Oranienburg, in the kingdom of Prussia, but now of Clapham, in the county of Surrey, officer of engineers, and HENRY BLUNDELL, of Hull, in the county of York, paint and colour manufacturer, for an improved method of operating upon certain vegetable and animal substances, in the process of manufacturing candles therefrom.-[Sealed 13th September, 1836.]

THIS invention consists in operating upon palm oil, animal fat or tallow and bees wax, in the manner and with the materials hereinafter set forth and explained, so as effectually to separate the stearine from the elaine contained in the palm oil and animal fat or tallow, and convert the said stearine, by submitting it to the process of oxygenation, bleaching, and purifying, hereinafter described, into a highly improved stearic acid, which used by itself makes a very superior candle, or mixed with bees-wax enables candles principally made of that material to be run in moulds, instead of being dipped and rolled in the ordinary tedious manner.

As to palm oil, the Patentees say they subject this material to seven different processes-crystallization, pressing, oxydation or conversion of the stearine into stearic acid, separating the stearic acid from the lime, washing and pressing a second time, bleaching and refining.

1

First, crystallization; palm oil, as imported, is melted and run into large iron or other vessels, which are called crystallizing vessels; in these it is allowed to cool very gradually, the stearine crystallizes at a temperature of about seventy-five degrees of Fahrenheit, and the elaine at this temperature partly separates from it.

Second, pressing; at about the last-named temperature, it is subjected to a powerful hydraulic or other mechanical pressure; the liquid part which runs from the press is the elaine, and the solid substance which remains in the press is the stearine in an impure state, with a portion of margarine.

Third, oxydation or conversion of the stearine and margarine into stearic and margaric acid. The stearine and margarine are first melted in an iron vessel; to every 104 lbs. of the stearine and margarine, add very gradually 12 lbs. more or less, according to the quality of the ingredients, of very dry hydrate of lime in a very fine powder, keeping the mass briskly stirred during the whole time. The temperature is to be gradually increased to about 240 degrees of heat, and kept well stirred for about three hours, or until a perfect combination of the stearine and margarine with the lime takes place. This may be known by the mass becoming thin and transparent, and when cold, assuming a glassy appearance. This operation being finished, the fire is withdrawn, and cold water added very gradually at first, stirring very briskly all the while, until the whole mass falls into a state of coarse granulation or powder; this is then passed through a wire sieve, to break down any lumps that may remain.

The Patentees observe, that it may be as well to state how they prepare the said hydrate of lime, although

this forms no part of the invention claimed. The lime stone must be of the best quality, and free from flints : take pieces of such lime well burnt and fresh, lay them on a sieve, and immerse the whole in water for the space of one minute; take it out, and let the water that is not absorbed run off, the lime will soon fall to a powder; take this and put it into an iron vessel moderately heated, and covered down with a wooden cover, to drive away by evaporation any water that is free. It must then be passed through a fine sieve, and used as quickly as possible, as it soon attracts fresh moisture.

Fourth, separate the stearic and margaric acid from the lime. The stearine and margarine, by the last described process, has now become acidified or oxygenated in combination with lime, forming stearate and margarate of lime. Now proceed to separate the stearic and margaric acid from the lime. For this purpose muriate of lime is used and sulphuric acid. Take as much of the muriate of lime as will produce sufficient muriatic acid of lime to decompose the quantity of stearate and margarate operated upon. To the muriate of lime, add as much sulphuric acid as will precipitate the lime and set the muriatic acid free. Put to the stearate of lime a sufficient quantity of this muriatic acid to dissolve all the lime contained in it, taking care to employ an excess of acid the; proportion will be about 3 lbs. of muriatic acid diluted with 9 lbs. of water to 1 lb. of lime.

This mixture is to lay three or four days, in order to ensure the complete solution of the lime; sufficient heat is afterwards employed to melt the stearic acid and margaric acids which then float on the surface. The muriate of lime is removed into another vessel, and deVOL. XI. 2 E