ON fHE WAX TREE OF LOUISIANA. 193 



itituent principles of the oil and then predifpofing, and favour- 

 ing the combination of the atmofpheric oxigen with the oil or 

 wax. I do not know whether my notion is original ; but I 

 deduced it from the bbfervatiori of what paffes during the 

 decompofition of a foapby an acid : the oil is always concrete 

 and becomes oxigenated. It would be interefting for chemical 

 theory to make, if it were poffible, a foap in a clofed apparatus 

 the air of which, might be examined after the experiment, or 

 in different gafes not containing oxigen. 



When the foap of myrica is deeompofed a very white wax The veg. wax 

 is obtained, but in a peculiar ftate rendering it unfit for our^ ^ 1 '^^ ,s 

 ufes. ftate. 



Litharge or the femi-vitreous oxide of lead diffolves very Plaifters with 

 well in melted wax of Louifiana ; it forms a very hard plaifter, * C S' wax » 

 but its confidence may be diminithed at pleafure by the addition 

 of a little oil. If as there is reafon to fuppofe, the wax of 

 myrica retains a portion of the aftringent principle afforded 

 by the decoclion of the berries, phyficians may perhaps dif- 

 cover fome ufeful topical remedies in the compounds of this 

 wax. 



From what has been faid, we fee that the myrica may be Great utility of 

 of the greateft ufe to the arts. The wax which it affords is thls wax * 

 fufficiently abundant to recompenfe the care and expenfe of 

 cultivating it. For a bufh in a full bearing yields from fix to 

 feven pounds of kernels, one fourth of which may be obtained 

 in wax. It is fuperior in quality to bees-wax. 



The aftringent principle of the myrica, extracted in the and ofits aftrin- 

 large way may be very ufeful in medicine and in the arts ; it sent matter * 

 may to a certain extent be fubftituted inftead of nut galls in 

 dyeing, hat making, and probably in certain procefles of 

 tanning. The colouring principle appears fufficiently folid to 

 deferve fome attention ; and if it be true that fome fine lakes 

 have been obtained from it in Louifiana, why may we not ex- 

 pect advantages from it in painting. 



Laftly when this wax (hall have become plentiful and cheap 

 in the market it promifes great advantage in the fabrication of 

 foap. 



The art of bleaching this Wax will alfo require a courfe ofTo bleach veg* 

 experimental refearch ; if it be propofed to operate econo- wax * 

 mically and in the large way. Two re-agents prefent them- 

 felves to manufacturers ; the fulphuric acid, and the oxigenated 



Vol. IV.tMarch. O muriatic 



