246 VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



has been found, by different chemists, to be TO 15, 

 making it somewhat heavier than water. The man- 

 ner of obtaining it, by removing it as it rises to the 

 surface of the water, would seem not to be in accord- 

 ance with their relative weights. But this is readily 

 accounted for by the fact of its expansion by heat, 

 which causes it to become specifically lighter when 

 in a state of fusion. It is heavier than bees'-wax, 

 the specific gravity of which is. '96 ; it likewise fuses 

 at a lower temperature ; the fusing point of the 

 myrtle-wax being 109, and that of bees'-wax 142. 



This wax when made into candles burns with a 

 peculiarly clear white flame, and gives a beautiful 

 light, producing little smoke. When new the bal- 

 samic fragrance it emits is considered by the Louisi- 

 anians as a powerful restorative to the sick. 



Besides the wax, which is so abundantly obtained 

 from this tree, it has other valuable qualities to 

 recommend it to notice, and, as these have been 

 recognized, it is a matter of surprise that it is not 

 more generally cultivated. It affords gallic acid in 

 considerable quantities, which might be applied with 

 advantage to the arts ; and it is said that a beautiful 

 lake pigment may be obtained from the colouring 

 matter of its berries. 



Kalm, in his Travels in North America, when 

 noticing this production, says, that in the country 

 where the wax-tree grows they make excellent soap 

 from it, which washes linen of a surpassing white- 

 ness. 



The myrica cerifera latifolia is another species of 

 this plant which flourishes in Pennsylvania, Connec- 

 ticut, and Virginia; it bears leaves shorter and 

 broader, and seeds larger thau that of Louisiana. It 

 is of equal fragrance, and yields a similar substance. 

 The former species rises to a greater height, but this 

 ismuch hardier, and it is become perfectly naturalized 



