Spirit of turpentine is very efficacious in removing the disagreeable odor and fatty emanations of bones or ivory, while it leaves them beautifully bleached. The articles should be exposed in the fluid for 3 or 4 days in the sun, or a little longer if in the shade. They should rest upon strips of zinc, so as to be a fraction of an inch above the bottom of the glass vessel employed. The turpentine acts as an oxidising agent, and the product of the combustion is an acid liquor which sinks to the bottom, and strongly attacks the bones if they be allowed to touch it. The action of the turpentine is not confined to bones and ivory, but extends to wood of various varieties, especially beech, maple, elm, and cork.