136 INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



Lastly, there is shell lac, in which the substance 

 is purified to the utmost by being put in bags and 

 held over a fire until sufficiently melted to pass 

 through the pores of the linen. The bags are 

 then pressed and squeezed at the same time that 

 they are passed over a smooth surface of wood, 

 thus depositing the lac in thin layers. The fine- 

 ness and purity of the lac will of course depend on 

 the fineness of the bag through which it is passed. 

 Shell lac if pure will take fire when laid on a hot 

 iron, and will burn with a strong but not disagree- 

 able smell. The heat of the ship's hold is very 

 apt to run this commodity into a solid mass, 

 in which case its value is much depreciated. 



The different kinds of lac are largely used by 

 Indians for ornamental purposes. Of the lump 

 lac they make bangles, or armlets for women 

 of the lower class ; shell lac being employed for 

 the same kind of ornaments for the upper classes, 

 and also for beads, chains, necklaces, and other 

 adornments. They also make a good varnish by 

 melting the lac, colouring it with cinnabar or 

 some other pigment, and making it into sticks like 



