SUGAR, MOLASSES, CONFECTIONS, AND HONEY. 839 



METHOD FOK QUALITATIVE EXAMINATION FOR VARIOUS WAXES." 



Heat the sample with ten times its volume of chloroform to boiliug and, when com- 

 pletely dissolved, cool. 



1. The chloroform solution remains clear after cooling. 



A. Ether dissolves original wax completely. 



(a) Alcohol solution of ferric chloride gives with the alcoholic solution of the wax 

 a precipitate insoluble on heating. Wax from Myrica quercifolia. 



(6) Ferric chloride colors the alcoholic solution black. Wax from an undetermined 

 species of Myrica. 



(0) Ferric chloride colors brownish, but gives no precipitate. Wax from Myrica cer- 

 ifera; wax from Orizaba. 



B. Ether dissolves only a part. 



A sample is boiled with ten parts of caustic potash till sapouiiication takes place 

 and the soap is heated with 100 parts of water, 

 (a) The soap is completely soluble. Japan wax. 

 (&) The soap is partly soluble; beeswax. African beeswax. 



2. The chloroform solution becomes cloudy on cooling. 



A. Alcoholic solution of lead acetate gives with the alcoholic wax solution a cloud- 

 iness after a few minutes standing. Wax from stick lac. 



B. Alcoholic solution of lead acetate gives no cloudiness. 



(a) The ether solution of the wax becomes cloudy on the addition of an equal 

 volume of alcohol. Brazil and Carnauba wax. 

 (6) The ether solution remains clear. Bahia wax. 



RESULTS OBTAINED BY APPLYING QUALITATIVE TESTS TO PURE BEESWAX, OTHER 

 WAXES, AND COMB FOUNDATION IN THE DEPARTMENT LABORATORY. 



(1) Boil 1 gram of the wax with 10 cc. of water and 3 grams of Na 2 CO 3 . On cool- 

 ing a pure wax should separate as a cake, leaving an opalescent solution below. 

 Japan wax, stearic acid, and rosin give an emulsion and no cake. 



Foundation comb, No. 8506, gave a cake of wax and soap and a translucent solution. 

 No. 8507 gave a cake of wax and soap underlaid by a slightly milky solution. A 

 Japan wax sample, No. 8543, gave a cake of soap and a milky solution. Stearic acid 

 gave a layer of soap above an opalescent solution containing flocks of fine crystals. 

 Rosin gave a cake of soap and a yellow underlying liquid. 



(2) Pure beeswax gives, with a saturated solution of borax at 80, a turbid aqueous 

 solution. Japan wax and stearic acid, emulsions. 



Foundation sample, No. 8506, gave a slightly turbid yellow solution. No. 8507, 

 also a foundation, gave a slightly turbid but pale solution. A Japan wax gave an 

 emulsion which, after standing forty-eight hours, only partially cleared up. Stearic 

 acid gave a white emulsion, solid on cooling. Rosin gave a turbid yellow solution 

 much like wax. 



(3) Treat as above, but after saponification keep moderately warm for some hours 

 to allow to stratify. 



Foundation No. 8493 gave a soap and a slightly turbid solution. Foundation No. 

 8504 behaved similarly, but the solution was yellow. Foundation No. 8509A gave a 

 cream-colored emulsion. No. 8509B gave a soap and a turbid solution. No. 8509C 

 gave a soap and a clear yellow solution. Stearic acid gave a thick milky mass. Japan 

 wax (No. 8543) gave a milky solution, nearly translucent, with a lajer of soap on the 

 surface. Another Japan wax (No. 8608) gave a milky or creamy mass of nearly uni- 

 form consistency. Tallow gave a cake and aslightly milky fluid, almost transparent. 

 No. 8493, a foundation, gave a soap layer and a slightly turbid solution. No. 8505 



* E. Hirschsohn, Phar. Jour. Trans., Mar. 28, 1880, 749 ; Proc. Amer. Pharm. Assoc., 

 1880, 291. 



