816 G. E. Moore on the Wax of the Myrica cerifera. 
The specific gravity of myrtle-wax ranges from 1-004 to 1:006 
and sh point of fiason Pi AT° to 49° C. Its hardness and 
brittleness are much greater than those of beeswax. According 
to Dr. Bostock one hundred parts by weight of boiling alcohol 
dissolve five parts of the wax, four-fifths being deposited on cool- 
ing and one-fifth remaining suspended in the fluid but gradually 
depositing after a few days, or it may be precipitated at once by 
the addition of water. Only four-fifths of the wax are dissolved 
by hot alcohol, the te A being totally unacted on even ~4 
prolonged digestion with fresh quantities of the solvent. Boil 
ing ether, according to the same author, dissolves more than one- 
quarter of its weight of the wax, of which, the greater part sepa 
rates on cooling. Ata moderate heat it is also taken up by oil 
of turpentine to the extent of six per cent. ae 
_ With a solution of caustic potash, myrtle wax saponifies 
ily, giving a fragrant soap which is freely soluble in water ana 
the ether. 
A portion of the wax was saponified with litharge and “0 
lead soap repeatedly washed with water. Upon evaporation of 
the washings in vacuo, a viscid fluid was obtained possessing the 
Sweet taste and other characteristic properties of glycerine, oad 
quantity obtained was, a a quite small in proportion to - 
a 
amount of wax emplo' 
IF : d agitated y 
4 portions of distilled water and finally dried. It 
ne point of 60° C. | 
duced with a considerable quantity of distilled water into 4 half 
pacious retort and ialgocten to distillation; after about one 
f the water in the retort had passed over, the distillate was found 
tain a few globules of fused fat floating on its gn Ee 4 
iH collected and their fusing point taken—it was fou - 
ical with that of the substan ious to S 
oe 
3 
