MINOR VEGETABLE PRODUCTS AND THEIR SOURCES. 205 
skimmed, and afterward strained through a coarse cloth to free it from 
impurities. 
Myrica cerifera and If. Carolinensis are North American species; the 
latter is said to be the most valuable, giving wax of a greenish yellow 
color, of a finer consistence than the bees-wax, and yielding at the rate 
of one pound of wax to four pounds of berries. Candles manufactured 
from it diffuse a delightful odor when burning, and even for. some time 
after extinction. . There are several species of Myrica indigenous to 
Southern Africa, the wax from which is an article of commerce. Myrica 
Jaga is a native of the Azores, and furnishes wax which is frequently 
utilized in candle-making. 
Japan wax.—This hard, white wax, now a considerable article of ex- 
port from Japan, is yielded by the fruit of Rhus succedanea, (Anacardi- 
acec,) a small tree much cultivated in Japan for this product. It is softer 
and more fatty than bees-wax, and is easily kneaded; its fusing point 
is from 125° to 136°. Candles are commonly made from it by the Jap- 
anese. It is exported in square blocks averaging 150 pounds each. 
Rhus vernicifera, also indigenous in Japan, yields the famous lacquer so 
extensively used by the people of that country for lacquering various 
articles of furniture and other wares. This substance exudesfrom wounds 
made in the tree, and is at first milky white, but gradually becomes 
darker and ultimately black on being exposed to the air. Nothing cer- 
tain has been made known regarding the mode of preparing it for use, 
and it is remarked that the lacquer ware now manufactured is greatly 
inferior to the ancient samples of this kind of ornamental work. 
Peetha wax.—tThe fruit of the white gourd of India, Benincasa cerifera 
(Cucurbitacew,) secretes upon its surface a waxy substance which resem- 
bles the bloom found on plums and some other fruits; but in this fruit 
it is produced in sufficient quaatities to be collected ‘and made into 
candles. 
Birch wax.—tit is stated that the dwarf birch, Betula nana, yields a 
wax similar to that afforded by the Myrica, and it is used for similar 
purposes. 
Fig wax.—aA species of fig, Ficus cerifera (Moracee,) found in the 
island of Sumatra, yields a kind of waxy secretion which is known under 
the name of getah lahoe, and is used for making candles. 
Was tree of the Cordilleras.—This is the Elwagia utilis, (Cinchonacee,) 
a lofty-growing tree, remarkable for the quantity of green resinous or 
waxy matter which is secreted by the stipules which invest the unex- 
panded buds. The wax is collected by the Indians and used by them 
to varnish useful and ornamental objects. It is first purified by immer- 
sion in hot water, and then worked until it becomes ductile. It is nat- 
urally of a yellow color, but various colors may be imparted by adding 
them to it when melted. The resin or wax when thus prepared is laid 
on in thin layers by the aid of heat and pressure, and by means of dif- 
ferent-colored layers, placed one upon another, and cut into various 
shapes, a kind of. design is produced. By first coating the object with 
a layer of silver foil a fine metallic luster is developed. 
The following table shows the value of the articles named respect- 
ively, imported and entering into consumption in this country during 
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869: 
RTE OU wis am oa apse = - $5, 618 00" Almeortdconeeee sata os < west $7,260.00 . 
Onieanunmt . 525. 422552803 5- 13, 696 OO) Cassia ovate. SS. 17, 318 00 
Uxtronella ..--..-.2..25..3 ’ 22,564 00 | Cinnamon oil...-.........- .583 00 
PANO DUb sss 45 dactee ae 3454 1,207, 00) * Castox oli fe 2223. 6) 28 21, 891. 26 
Palm and cocoa oik.....--. 
ww 
2) 04s OO Th OMVGrOi ee 25. stew eden 2 521, 117.50 
