314 G. E. Moore on the Wax of the Myrica cerifera. 
ular repute as a remedial agent. ce 
We are indeed for the first published account of this sub- 
appearance, which he states to have been employed by the colo- 
ssa in the manufacture of candles. Mr. Alexandre likewise 
the most violent cases of dysentery. a 
At a later period accounts of the tree or shrub were given by 
al, Lepage-Duprat, and by Toscan, Librarian at the Mu 
se tu istory at Paris. The latter in a memoir 
his work entitled L’Ami de Ja Nature gave a circumstantial de 
scription of the mode of collecting the wax in early colonial gr 
es. eo 
The traveller, Kalm, speaking of myrtle wax says “in the 
country where it grows they make excellent soap of it which 
washes linen perfectly white.” me 
The first attempt to investigate the chemical composition ° 
this substance was made by the Danish chemist, Dr. John} 
the early part of the present century. By treating the wax from 
the WM. cerifera with boiling alcohol, this observer separated 1 
into two portions. To the soluble portion he gave the name 
* Metoi Aaa DPA - 
OT warda +h - 
t . 
together with his family, to go to some island or bank near the sea shore where the 
het 
throw a certain quantity of the berries into the kettle, and then pour 
ity of water on them so as to cover them to the depth of a 
i irri grains about and rubbing them 
sides of the vessel in order that the wax may more easily come off. In 
it floats on the water like fat, and is collected with a spoo x 
course cloth to separate it from any impurities which might be mixed ' 
reap ip paar tke the berries out with x skim 
0 cahratedondte aed Baarah darts pres pater pape 
it 
ut 
BE 
é 
1 
sf 
iF 
: 
i 
: 
zB 
i 
t 
and formed 
one of wax; that which is first obtained is generally 
but i assumes a green color from the pellicle with which thé 
of the berry is covered.”—Translation in Nicholson's Journal, vol. iv, p- 189- 
$ Chemische Untersuchungen, iii, $8. 
a 
