JAPHETH 



3125 



JASPER 



prepared with entirely different processes and 

 materials. Japanning is a process between 

 painting and enameling, and is extensively ap- 

 plied in the finishing of tea trays, domestic 

 iron goods (such as coal boxes, cash boxes, 

 deed boxes, etc.), clock dials and papier-mache 

 articles; portable baths are usually finished 

 internally in white japan, and a modified form 

 of japanning is employed for patent leather. 



Japanning is done in clear, transparent var- 

 nishes, in black, and in body colors; but black 

 is most frequently used. For fine work, which 

 is first smoothed and polished, several coats 

 of varnish are applied in succession, each sep- 

 arately dried at a heat which may rise to 300 

 F. Gold or bronze bands or floral decoration 

 are generally added; in such cases the design 

 is painted on in japanner's gold size and the 

 gold leaf applied, after which the objects are 

 again placed in the oven and then additional 

 coats of varnish are given. By japanning a 

 brilliant polished surface is attained, which is 

 more durable and less affected by heat and 

 moisture than ordinary painted or varnished 

 work. 



JAPHETH, ja'jeth, the youngest son of 

 Noah, was born when his father was very 

 old. On unusual occasions Japheth acted in a 

 very kindly way towards his father, and in 

 consequence received a blessing, the essential 

 part being that he should occupy large terri- 

 tory and dwell in peace with his brother Shem. 

 His descendants moved to the north and west 

 of Canaan, occupying much of Europe, so he 

 is considered the ancestor of the European 

 races. Although the descendants of Shem and 

 Ham attained an earlier distinction in the 

 government and commerce of the world, those 

 of Japheth now form the large Christian branch 

 of civilization which rules the world with its 

 modern culture. See NOAH. 



JAPONIC A, japon'ika. See CAMELLIA. 



JASMINE, jas'min, a genus of plants, re- 

 lated to the olive, natives of India and Persia, 

 where one kind with double white blossoms is 

 held sacred. The true jasmine is a vinelike 

 plant ten or twelve feet high, with dark green 

 leaves and white flowers, famous for their fra- 

 grance. The Spanish jasmine is a hardy bush 

 about three feet high that is cultivated in 

 Southern Europe for oil of jasmine, which is 

 obtained by putting its blossoms between lay- 

 ers of oil-soaked cloth and allowing the oil to 

 absorb their odor. The oil is pressed out, 

 strained and purified into a delicate perfume 

 called oil of jasmine. Another bushy jasmine 



grows in China; its flowers are used to scent 

 teas, and from the berries the Chinese make a 

 yellow dye. The most common of the Ameri- 

 can jasmines is the Carolina jasmine, that we 

 find climbing on the fences and walls in the 



Among the flowers no perfume is like mine ; 

 That which is best in me comes from within. 

 So those who in this world would rise and shine 

 Should seek internal excellence to win. 



LELAND : Jessamine. 



In the illustration (a) is branch, leaf and 

 flower of Carolina jasmine ; (&), the true jasmine. 



Southern states of the American Union. Its 

 bright yellow flowers have a heavy fragrance. 

 The Cape jasmine, so common in the hot 

 houses of the United States, Canada and Eng- 

 land, is not a jasmine, but a gardenia (which 

 see). The proper name of yellow jasmine is 

 gelsemium, and it is described under that title. 



JA'SON, in Greek legend, king of lolcus, in 

 Thessaly, who to regain for his father the 

 throne usurped by his uncle Pelias, organized 

 the Argonautic expedition in quest of the 

 Golden Fleece. Victorious, he returned with 

 his wife, Medea, who helped him to renew the 

 youth of his father and to put to death the 

 wicked Pelias. Jason and Medea then fled to 

 Corinth, where sometime later he deserted her 

 and married Glauce, the daughter of the king 

 of that country. In revenge Medea sent a 

 robe of cloth-of-gold saturated with a deadly 

 poison which penetrated to the flesh of the 

 wearer. The unsuspecting Glauce at once 

 donned the garment, and after horrible suf- 

 ferings expired. Then Medea slew her three 

 sons. To avenge these deaths Jason started 

 in quest of Medea, who passed over his head, 

 gliding through the air in a golden chariot 

 drawn by dragons. In despair Jason slew him- 

 self upon the threshold of his new home. See 

 ARGONAUTS; MEDEA. 



JAS'PER, a variety of quartz rock that is 

 found in large quantities. It is of several 

 colors white, red, yellow, brown and black 



