VEGETABLE WAX FROM BRAZIL. |5 



the ceroxylon aiidicola*; but it is not likely to be thecok of Hum- 

 same, as Humboldt's wax is collected from a statelj^ palm boldt. 

 tree, which grows on the high mountains, from 900 to 

 1450 tbises above the level of the sea, and on the edge of 

 the regions of perpetual snow. On the other hand, the 

 Brazilian plant is described as a slow growing tree, but 

 not as a large one, and there are no hign mountains delineated 

 in the most accurate and recent maps oi" the capiten*^as 

 where it is found. But a more decisive argument against 

 their identity is the analysis of Vauquelin, published by 

 Humboldt, which shows, that the produce of the ceroxylou 

 consists of two thirds resin and only one third v?as; but the 

 Brazilian article is entirely wax, and affords not the smallest 

 traceof resin. The Brazilian plant, however, was not entirely 

 unknown to Humboldt, for it appears frona his book, that Mr. 

 Correa had informed him, that a palm, called carnauha 

 by the natives of Brazil, produced wax from its leaves. 



Sect. H. l. The wax, in its rough state, is in the form of a The wax (I«- 

 coarse pale gray powder, soft to the touch, and mixed with 

 various impurities, consisting chiefly of fibres of the bark of 

 the tree, which, when separated by a sieve, amount to 

 about 40 per cent. 



It has an agreeable odour, somewhat resembling new hay, 

 but scarcely any taste. 



At 206* Fahrenheit it eaters into perfect fusion, and in 

 this state it may be farther purified, by passing it through 

 fine linen. By this process, it acquires a dirty green colour, 

 and its peculiar smell becomes more evident. When cold, 

 it is moderately hard and brittle. Its specific gravity is 

 0-980. . 



2. Water exerts no action on the wax, unless boiled with Insoiuble ia 

 it for some hours ; it then acquires a slight brown tinge, and 



the peculiar odour of the wax. 



3. Alcohol does not dissolve any portion of the wax, un- and lo alcohol 

 less heat be applied. W ^"'"^ ^^^''^' 



Two fluid ounces of boiling alcohol, spec. grav. 0*826, 

 dissolve about ten grains of the wax, of which eight grains 

 are deposited as the solution cools, and the remaiijing two 



* Plantes equinoctiale?, p. 3, 



grains 



