C 87 ] 



lized bodies, which have the property of detonating 

 by heat or percussion. 



The natural bitter principle is of great impor- 

 tance in the art of brewing ; it checks fermentation, 

 and preserves fermented liquors ; it is likewise used 

 in medicine. 



The bitter principle, like the narcotic principle, 

 appears to consist principally of carbon, hydrogene, 

 and oxygene, with a little azote. 



12. Wax is found in a number of vegetables ; it 

 is procured in abundance from the berries of the wax 

 myrtle (Myrica cerifera), it may be likewise obtained 

 from the leaves of many trees ; in its pure state it is 

 white. Its specific gravity is 9,662 ; it melts at 155 

 degrees ; it is dissolved by boiling alcohol ; but it is 

 not acted upon by cold alcohol ; it is insoluble in wa- 

 ter ; its properties as a combustible body are well 

 known. 



The wax of the vegetable kingdom seems to be pre- 

 cisely of the same nature as that afforded by the bee. 



From the experiments of M. M. Gay Lussac and 

 Thenard, it appears that 100 parts of wax consist of 



Carbon 81,784 



Oxygene 5,544 



Hydrogene - - 12,672 



or otherwise, 



Carbon - - 81,784 



Oxygene and hydrogene in the pro- 1 

 portions necessary to form water J 



Hydrogene - - - 11,916 



which agrees very nearly with 37 proportions of hy- 

 drogene, 21 of charcoal, 1 of oxygene. 



