Spermaceti

(sper - mas - e'- te), Cetyl palmitic ester; a substance that occurs in the oil from peculiar cavities in the heads of sperm-whales; upon standing and cooling, it separates as a white, crystalline ma , which can be purified by pre ure and by recrystallization from alcohol. It occurs then in waxy, shining needles or leaflets, melting at 490 C. Its specific gravity is 0.943 at 1 50 C.; its melting-point is from 430 to 490 C. It is only slightly soluble in ether, chloroform, and carbon disulphid. It is used in the manufacture of candles and in pharmaceutic preparations. See Cetaceum.