Analyses, by recent and improved methods, of the mixed fatty acids from various seed fats are now available in a number of different cases, and show, more definitely than hitherto, that the seed fats of members of the same botanical group frequency possess strongly marked specific resemblances. It has been recognised, of course, for a considerable time that seed fats from plants belonging to the same or nearly allied botanical orders often contain similar, and to a certain extent specific, mixtures of fatty acids. Thus, the fats from fruits of the
Palmæ
are marked by the presence of relatively large quantities of lauric acid, whilst myristic acid is prominent in those of the
Myristiceæ
, and erucic acid in seeds of the
Cruciferæ
,