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Art. X. Account of the Method of preparing a Black 

 Resinous Varnish, used at Silhet, in Bengal. 



Shields made at Silhet are noted throughout India for the 

 lustre and durability of the black varnish with which they are 

 covered ; Silhet shields constitute therefore no inconsider- 

 able article of traffic, being in request among natives who 

 carry arms, and retain the ancient predilection for the scimitar 

 and buckler. 



The vajrnish is composed of the expressed juice of the mark- 

 ing nut, Semecarpus Anacardiunif and that of another kindred 

 fruit, Holigarna Longifolia, 



The shell of the Semecarpus Anacardium contains between its 

 integuments numerous cells, filled with a black, acrid, resinous 

 juice, which likewise is found, though less abundantly, in the 

 wood of the tree. It is commonly employed as an indelible 

 ink, to mark all sorts of cotton cloth. The colour is fixed with 

 quick lime. 



The cortical part of the fruit of Holigarna Longifolia similarly 

 contains between its laminae numerous cells, filled with a black 

 thick, acrid fluid. The natives of Malabar, in which country, 

 as well as in the eastern parts of Bengal, the tree is indigenous, 

 extract by incision its very acrid juice, with which they varnish 

 targets. 



Both are combined for the same purpose by the artisans of 

 Silhet. 



The juices are resinous, being soluble in alcohol, and not at 

 all so in water. They may be dissolved in fixed oils, and in di- 

 lute alcali. 



To prepare the varnish according to the method practised in 

 Silhet, the nuts of the Semecarpus Anacardium and berries of the 

 Holigarna Longifolia, having been steeped for a month in clear 

 water, are cut transversely and pressed in a mill. The ex- 

 pressed juice of each is kept for several months, taking off the 

 scum from time to time. Afterwards the liquor is decanted 

 and two parts of the one are added to one part of the other, to 



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