XII. On an artificial substance which possesses the principal characteristic properties of tannin

Abstract

The discovery of the principle on which the effects of tanning essentially depend, may be partly attributed to Mr. Deyeux, who obtained a substance from galls which he con­sidered as a species of resin, but which was afterwards proved by Mr. Seguin to be that which renders the skins of animals insoluble in water, and imputrescible, and thus to be the principle by which they are converted into leather. The chief characteristic property of this substance was ascertained by Mr. Seguin to be that of precipitating gelatine or glue from water in a state of insolubility, and as it was evi­dently different from any vegetable substance hitherto disco­vered, he gave it the name of tannin.