BEES-WAX AND ITS ECONOMICAL USES. 15 



provide sufficient evidence. Otherwise this method 

 would have furnished a good test for those who are not 

 experts. 



There remains, therefore, no other way but to take 

 the wax to a chemist, who will find out the quantity 

 of cerotic acid and the non-volatile fatty acids, and such 

 an analysis will provide a much safer criterion with 

 regard to the adulteration. 



The following simple tests, however, have often been 

 found useful : (a.) When wax is chewed there should 

 be no unpleasant taste, and it should not stick to the 

 teeth. If wax is adulterated with other ingredients the 

 taste alone will detect them. If it sticks to the teeth the 

 admixture of resin can be assumed, (b.) Pure beeswax 

 from that adulterated is also determined by first bump- 

 ing quickly on a hot iron plate a small bit of beeswax 

 which is known to be pure. The smell given off is 

 noticed. Then the piece of wax to be examined is 

 burnt in the same way. If it contains ceresine a 

 disagreeable, fatty, white smoke is given off, which 

 differs the more from the smell of wax the more ceresine 

 there is mixed with it. This is a simple way of testing 

 the purity of purchased comb foundation. 



THE EMPLOYMENT OF WAX FOB ECONOMICAL 

 PURPOSES. 



Beeswax, on account of its illuminating powers, is used 

 for the manufacture of candles and wax-tapers. Also, 

 011 account of its tenacity and flexibility, firmness and 

 high melting point, it is indispensable in the great in- 

 dustry of making wax figures and for modelling. Wax 

 renders us important services also in house-keeping. In 

 the following we have some useful recipes : 



(a.) Sewing Wax. 



The beeswax is made up into little round balls and 

 gives stiffness and smoothness to sewing thread. 



