cfLouifianaandPennJyl<va}iui, z6f 



Tt would be of importance fgr the theory of chemiftry to 

 t-iiake foap, i|- poHiblt, in a dole vcllel, and to examine the 

 air afterwards, or in different gales containing no oxygen. 



By deconipoling foap of tlie niyrica, very while wax is 

 obtained; but in a particular ftate, which does not admit of 

 its being enipIo\ed for our purpofes. 



Litharge, or femi- vitreous oxide of lead, diflblves very well 

 in the melted wax of Louifiana. It forms a very hard mafs, 

 the conilftencc of which mav be diminifhed at pleafure by 

 the addition of a little oil. If the wax of the myrica, as there 

 is reafon to think, retains a portion of the aliringent prin- 

 cijile given by a decoftion of the berries, the phyficiatis, 

 perhaps, will find ufeful properties in topics made with this 

 wax. 



By taking a general view of what has been here faid, it is 

 fecn that the mvrica mav be of verv great fervice in the arts. 

 The wax which it furnilhes is fufliciently abundant to prove 

 an ample indenmificalion for the care and expenfe of cultiva- 

 tion, fince a fhrub in full bearing gives fix or feven poundg 

 of berries, from which a fourth of wax may be extrailed. 

 This wax is of a (luality fuperior to that of bees, 



'I'Ll aftringent principle of the mvrica, cxtradled on a large 

 fcale_, may be very ufeful either in medicine or in the arts. 

 In certain refpects it mav be iiibflitutcd for the gall-nut la 

 dyeing, hat-making, and perhaps in the tanning fome kind? 

 of leather. The colouring principle fccms to be fufficienlly 

 fixed to deferve fome attention ; and, if it be true that in 

 I^ouifiana beautiful lakes are made from it, why is it not 

 rendered ufeful in painting? 



In a word, when this wax becomes fufficiently common to 

 be fold at a low price, great advantage might be derived from 

 it in making foap. 



The art ot bleaching this wax requires alfo fome refearchcs, 

 when it is to be performed on a large feale with ceconomy. 

 T.vo re-agents prclent themfclves to manufacturers — the fuU 

 phuric acid and the oxygenated muriatic. But as wax docs 

 not fink in ijicfc li(|uids, meanK mufl be found to multiply 

 the cont;ict, cither by cutting the wax into flices and be- 

 sprinkling it with oxygenated muriatic acid, or ftuttting it up 

 when cut in this manner, in ealkt;, into which oxygenated 

 muriatic acid is introduced. 



i lliall propofe a third method, which fccms to promifc a 

 fpcedier cHec.t. Place the wax, cut into fmall pieces, in al- 

 lernate Hrau with hvper-oxvaenated muriate of lime: when 

 arranged in this maimer, leave it for fome time dry and in con- 

 ucl. The fait and acidulous water arc then to be decompofed bv 



the 



