The Varnish and Tallow Trees. 5 1 7 



attention on account of their produce, we sliall briefly notice 

 tlie varnish tree, the tallow tree, and the wax shrub. 



The varnish tree ( Vernix vernicia\ a sort of sumach, which 

 grows in greatest luxuriance in the provinces of Kiang-sl, 

 Chi-kiang, and Sze-chuen, furnishes that varnish which, partly 

 in a semi-fluid, partly in a dry state, comes to market in 

 whitish cakes, and is worth, according to quality and demand, 

 from 40 to 100 dollars per picul of 133 lbs. In the prepara- 

 tion of this lacquer, the reputation of which has extended over 

 the globe, 6f lbs. varnish, 13 J lbs. water, 41 f lbs. nut-oil, 

 16| lbs. of pigs' gall, and 33 J lbs. of vinegar, are mixed to- 

 gether till the whole assumes the consistence and appearance 

 of a shining black paste. The fact that many Cliinese lac- 

 quered wares, especially those prepared in Foo-chow, vie with 

 the renowned manufactures of Japan in beauty and lustre, 

 leaves room to suspect that the Cliinese workmen have received 

 some instruction from their Japanese fellow-craftsmen. 



Vegetable tallow {Schulah, or Scku-kuu, tree fat) is ob- 

 tained from the Stillingia sehifera, the so-called tallow tree, 

 and, judging by the experiments made with it, promises 

 under an extended system of cultivation to become a toler- 

 ably profitable article of export. The tallow tree flom-Ishes 

 throughout the southern provinces, but Is chiefly found in 

 the Island of Chusan and the coasts adjacent. The tallowy 

 substance procured from the seeds, which externally resemble 

 nuts. Is sold In cakes of from 90 to 130 lbs. at from 7 to 12 

 dollars. 



