556 GUMS, RESINS, ETC. 



cutting the leaves into pieces and boiling them in water, when the 

 liquid wax rises to the surface, and is skimmed off. The leaves 

 -arc cut twice a month, in the dry season, and about six to eight 

 leaves are obtained yearly from one palm. It is said that it takes 

 3,500 leaves to yield 34 Ib. of wax. The collection of the latter is an 

 important industry in Brazil, where the annual export of the article 

 is said to amount to about 2,000 tons, valued at 200,000. 

 Carnauba-wax is an article of high commercial value. It has been 

 used during many years past for the manufacture of fine-quality 

 candles, also as a basis for boot-polish. Recently it has been found 

 to be the most suitable substance for the manufacture of phono- 

 graph and gramophone records, and the additional demand thus 

 created has had the effect of materially increasing the value of 

 the wax, which at present is quoted in London at 100s. to 110s. per 

 c\vt. The value of the wax is dependent upon three factors 

 viz., tint, texture, and richness in oil. For trade purposes it is graded 

 into three qualities; the best quality is of uniform pale-cream tint, 

 smooth and homogeneous in texture and rich in oil, the inferior 

 grades being darker and less uniform in colour, somewhat porous 

 in texture and less rich in oil. 



Wax-palm of New Greneda. (Ceroxylon andicola). This 

 differs from the preceding tree, in that the wax is deposited on 

 the trunk and not on the leaves. The palm is also suited to a 

 higher elevation and cooler climate than the Brazilian species ; it 

 thrives in a sheltered spot in Hakgala Gardens, Ceylon, where it 

 has been introduced about 25 years ago. It grows to about 30 ft. 

 in height, and the trunk is usually distended half way up. The 

 wax, which is deposited between the leaf-scars on the trunk, often 

 so thick than it can be removed in flakes, forms an article of trade 

 in New Greneda, and is used for making candles. The average 

 yield per tree is said to be about 25 Ib. 



Vegetable (or Chinese) Tallow. A product of Stipinni sebi- 

 t'eruin (Euphorbiaceae), a small tree, 25 to 30 feet high, native of 

 China and Japan. The fatty matter obtained from the layer 

 surrounding the seed is used in China in place of animal tallow for 

 the manufacture of candles and soap, also in cloth-dressing. A 

 brownish yellow oil is obtained from the seed kernels, which is 

 used as a burning-oil, and also in the preparation of varnishes, on 

 account of its dyeing properties. A mixture of the oil and fat is 

 stated to be a good substitute for lard used for industrial purposes. 

 Vegetable-tallow is exported from China to Europe, etc., in hard 



