126 Experiments of Candle Wicks, Spc. 



continued does not render it entirely white. It melts at the 

 temperature of 107° of Fahrenheit, and at a temperature not 

 much higher than 212° becomes so far decomposed as to assume 

 a brown color. It burns with a bluish flame giving compara- 

 tively a faint light, and Candles made of it, in burning are 

 even more apt than tallow Candles to run. Mixed with an 

 equal quantity of Tallow, it forms a Candle which differs but 

 little in its combustible properties from a Tallow Candle. 



In endeavouring to ascertain the comparative illuminating 

 properties of Berry Wax, and using the same Wax Candle as 

 the standard, I obtained the following results : 



Common Wax, -----------18 



Berry Wax with one Wick, containing 20 threads, 13^ 



Berry Wax and Tallow in equal proportions, with 

 one Wick, containing 20 threads, - - - - 15 



Berry Wax absorbs Chlorine Gas, three ounces of the Wax 

 absorbing 16 oz. of Gas by measure: in consequence of this 

 action it becomes white, increases in hardness and brittleness. 

 It melts at the same temperature as the unbleached Wax, that 

 is 107°. Melted over Water a substance separates from the 

 mass ; this substance absorbing water, increases in specific 

 gravity and sinks to the bottom of the Wax in the form of a 

 spongy mass. A small quantity of water remains diffused in 

 minute globules through the mass of the Wax, and may be 

 driven off by exposing it in a shallow vessel to the tempera- 

 ture of boiling water. In conducting this part of the process, 

 care must be taken not to increase the heat beyond this point, 

 otherwise, it acquires a disagreeable brown colour. Upon 

 cooling, it contracts very considerably, and thus is well fitted 

 for taking very delicate impressions. 



Berry Wax thus bleached burns with a clear flame, but 

 requires a Wick nearly as thick as that of a Tallow Candle. 

 It is not apt to gutter, on the contrary it does not generally 

 melt faster than is necessary for carrying on the combustion. 

 Hence it is well fitted for burning with two or three Wicks, 

 and a Candle made in this manner gently inclined in the way 

 formerly mentioned, may be used without being snuffed. 

 The comparative trial afforded the following results : 



Bees' Wax, 18 



Bleached Berry Wax, with one Wick, containing 20 

 threads, ------------ 15 



Bleached Berry Wax, with two Wicks, containing 

 8 threads, ------------ 22 



Results corresponding almost entirely with those from 

 Tallow. 



Tims it appears, that the chief advantages of the bleached 

 Berry Wax are its greater cleanliness ; being less apt to soil 

 any thing which it touches ; its want of unpleasant smell, and 



