224 WAX. 



from the productiveness of its berries, it seems 

 surprising that its culture is not more general. 



The mode in which this myrtle wax is obtained 

 is as follows. Towards the end of autumn the 

 natives gather the ripe berries, boil them in water, 

 skim off the wax which rises, strain it off from its 

 impurities, and set it to drain, after which, they 

 remelt and form it into masses. Four pounds of 

 berries yield about one pound of wax. 



From the wax thus procured, they make soap 

 and candles. The soap manufactured from it is 

 said to be excellent, and to wash linen perfectly 

 white ; the candles afford a good light, without 

 smoke or guttering ; their perfume is highly 

 agreeable, not only during the time that they are 

 burning, but for a considerable time afterwards. 



Mr. Sparrman suspects that myrtle wax is de- 

 posited upon the berries by insects, and Du Valde 

 has given an account of a white wax made by 

 small insects, round the branches of a tree in 

 China, in great quantity, which is there collected 

 for medical and economical purposes. (Descrip- 

 tion of China, vol. i. page 230.) Myrtle-wax 

 therefore may not be a vegetable product. 



According to the experiments of M. Cadet and 

 Dr. Bostock, this myrtle wax differs in some re- 

 spects from bees-wax. It differs from it in colour, 

 different specimens of it assuming different shades 

 of yellowish green : its smell is also different ; 



