G, E. Moore on the Wax of the Myrica cerifera. 315 
| cerin and to the insoluble that of myricin, from the specific and 
| generic names of the plant. Subsequently discovering as he 
Paani two identical substances in bees-wax he conferred upon 
the same names, which are even still in use. 
In the year 1802 Mr. C, L. Cadet* gave an account of the 
Path berry and the mode of culture, with experiments on the 
solubility of the wax in various menstrua, and mentioned that it 
saponified readily with the alkalies. 
; A few months later, Dr. John Bostock} gave an accurate de- 
scription of the physical re of ne wax, its comportment 
towards solvents and alk 
ee 
wi Tite as 
Bice these early imperfect. notices of the myrica wax, we 
More recently, an sr se 9d analysis by Lewy who found 
- : - - 74:00 
Hydrogen, : - - - - 12:00 
MO ict ata cee ‘sii eR 
10000 
‘<3 | Chevreul also examined the myrica wax. According to him 
it is completely —— by sa lye an a in the oo 
em Aesishes glycerine, stea margaric oleic eames 
: will appear in the sequel, this ; distinguished chemist must have 
| . operated on an adulterated specimen 
The wax employed in the following research was the commer- 
tial article as found in the drug stores of New Haven, and was 
cr: - the vicinity of this place. To the kindness of Mr. 
E. W. Blake, Jr., I am indebted for a wer ran soe ante 
veral sources, in no case ap- 
__ Peared to have been adulterated, as shown ee the uniform fusing 
7 ag of the wax itself, and of the mixed fatty acids resulting 
The wax, as existing merce, is 0 of various shades of 
vik from | previa oni eet dest sce any other ep . 
& Te h e 
; ‘i Sake pr vverfal however in. maha dese br 
= 
ce 
= 
i 
Bs 
g 
iE 
do 
a) 
gts 
which remain nearly constant wot 
' Annales de Chimie, xliv, 140. Nicholeon’s Journal, iv, 180, 
+ Handwérterbuch der Chemie, v, 413. Me na 
