The internal fat of the abdomen of Ovis Aries Linne (class Mammalia; order Ruminantia), purified by melting and straining.

Habitat

Domesticated.

Characters

A white, solid fat, nearly inodorous, and having a bland taste when fresh, but becoming rancid on prolonged exposure to the air.

Solubility

Insoluble in water or cold Alcohol; soluble in about 60 parts of Ether, and slowly in 2 parts of Benzin.

Composition

Its chief constituents are - (1) Stearin. (2) Palmitin. (3) Olein. (4) Hircin.

Suet is contained in Unguentum Hydrargyri.

Uses of Suet. Suet is used chiefly in cerates.