8 
a such as bits of dried varnish skins, wood, etc, ‘The 
gum was estimated by boiling with water, but did not amount to 
anything like ie quantity obtained by Yoshida. 
Sample F, from Rhus sylvestris. This was examined in the 
same way as E, and turned out to be a fairly pure sample. In 
drying qualities it far surpassed E, becoming surface dry in moist 
air i n li hours, and dry through in from tto5 hours. Alcohol 
axieacteal about 45 per cent. of ‘urushic acid, giving 30°90 per cent. 
Pb in its lead salt. The Rpg re was insoluble in ether, an 
consisted as before of diastatic matter and mechanical 
a te here: Aan latter, iowevel being present in rather large 
quantitie 
wi gtaied are given the results of analysis :— 
— E | F 
Urushic acid As He va se ss se 37°5 | 45°9 
Gum - wa wes +> O4. | 1:2 
Diastatic matter and impurities seb is ie LO eat Lo 
Mokuyiki (?) i 452 | — 
Witar 3 and other volatile matter (by difference) 98: +> 336 
| 100°0 | 100°0 
I may add that by direct estimation the water and v 
matter in F was found to be 33°4 per cent. The analys is _ r 
shows great geeue is with the figures obtained by Ishimatyu 
from a sample bought at Tokio 
The question of the Han of these lacquers is a very interesting 
one. | have repeated the experiments of Yoshida on this subject 
with results that bear out the conclusions at which he arrived. 
The whole of the phenomena attendant on the drying of the 
urushi lacquers appear to point to the eer of a ferment which 
determines the oxidation, and can only exhibit its greatest 
activity in a moist atmosphere and ce certain well-defined 
s of temperature, being permanently destroyed if the heat 
be raised too high. 
J.K.C 
The following notes record the results of attempts to introduce 
the Varnish tree into India 
Mr. Duthie reported from Seared in 1884 :— 
Rhus vernicifera is the famous Japanese varnish tree used for 
lacquering various articles, such as furniture, &c. I received 
some seed from the Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew. Abou 
25 me rn aves already been raised, yes more may yet germinate, 
judging from the appearance of the se 
Further in 1885 :— 
The plants of this valuable tree, raised from seed received last 
year from the Royal Gardens, Kew, are in as healthy a Reg tt 
as could be desired, but they are growing very 
the rate of growth increases as they become older, it. will take 
