18 E. DIVERS AND M. KAWAKITA 



it is prepared from the Common or Prickly -lecaved Holly, (Ilex Aqiii- 

 foliani), bat in Japan it is obtained from Mochi no hi, the 7. intégra of 

 Thunberg, (Prinns intégra, H. & A.). We are not familiar with bird- 

 lime as prepared in Europe, but judging from descriptions, Japanese 

 bird-lime is like it, except perhaps in not having a greenish hue, 

 though of that even we are not certain, since the Japanese product 

 may well have it sometimes, when quite freshly prepared. Bird-lime 

 is extensively used in Japan, as in Europe, for catching birds and 

 insects, and with the usually attendant cruelty. 



In manuals of economic botany we find enumerated as peculiar 

 constituents of the holly, a bitter principle named ilicine, an aromatic 

 resin, and bird-lime itself. In the account of bird-lime given in 

 Ure's Dictionarg, the true substance is not well distinguished from 

 the viscid matter of Mistletoe, (Viscum album), examined by Reinsch, 

 from which it appears to be entirely different. 



Some properties of (Japanese) bird-lime. 



Bird-lime is pale greyish, nearly opacpie, of faint, peculiar odour, 

 almost tasteless, soft, elastic, tenacious and very adhesive to dry sur- 

 faces, and slightly lighter than water. It can be preserved in water 

 f)r an indefinite time without change, except on its upper surface. 

 Exposed to air it very slowly turns brown outside, and becomes 

 coated with a thin brittle skin. Heated moderately, it gives off water, 

 and above 100° froths, through disengagement of steam. By the 

 loss of its moisture it becomes transparent, brown, and wdiile hot, of 

 the consistency of cold oil. If now allowed to cool, it retains its 

 transparency, and forms a soft solid mass, elastic, tenacious, and 

 sticky, as before, somewhat resembling Canada balsam in appearance. 



Ether, carbon l^isulphide, chloroform, light petroleum, and ben- 

 zene dissolve bird-lime, leaving a residue which, though of not in- 



