ADIPOCERE, a substance into which animal matter is some times converted (from the Lat. adeps, fat, and cera, wax), and so named by A. F. Fourcroy, from its resemblance to both fat and wax. When the Cimetiere des Innocens at Paris was removed in 1786-87, great masses of this substance were found where the coffins containing the dead bodies had been placed very closely together. Chemically, adipocere consists principally of a mixture of palmitic, margaric and oxymargaric acids combined with a little ammonia; glycerine appears to be absent (see also under GLYCER IDES) . Lime, derived from the tissues, is present with other sub stances as an inorganic residue. It appears that it is not formed from protein, but from the body fats which collect together and undergo decomposition.