ON VEGETABLE WAXES. 



wax, of which specimens only have as yet been seen in this country, but 

 which does not appear to differ from the myrtle wax of the Bahamas. It 

 is employed, as we are informed, for making candles in the country in which 

 it is produced. 



Scotch Myetle (Myrica gale). — The berries of this indigenous little 

 shrub will yield a small quantity of a hard, greenish wax, upon being thrown 

 into boiling water. But the quantity yielded is so small, and the expense 

 of collecting so great, that there is no probability of its being met with as 

 an article of commerce. This wax has a slight aromatic odour, similar to 

 that which the plant possesses in a greater degree. 



St Domingo Wax. — At the Great Exhibition of 1851, Sir R. Schom- 

 burgk sent specimens of a peculiar vegetable wax, and candles made there- 

 from, from the Island of St Domingo. This wax is of a yellowish colour, 

 with a greenish tint, hard and brittle, but otherwise much resembling the 

 candleberry waxes. No information was given of the source from whence 

 it was procured, but it was doubtless derived from a species of Myrica. 

 The plant is stated to be abundant in the northern portions of the 

 island. 



Japan Wax (Rhus succedanea, L.) — This hard white wax is now 

 a considerable article of export from Japan. It was formerly generally 

 Been in round cakes of from 4 to 4| inches in diameter, and 1 inch thick ; 

 but since the opening of the ports of Japan the importation has so largely 

 increased, that it is now commonly received in large square blocks or cases, 

 each of an average weight of 133 lb. The fusing point of this wax is 

 from 125 to 130 deg. Candles are commonly made of this substance 

 in Japan. Dr Macgowan states that the Japanese are cultivating these 

 little plants in all corners of their gardens, and in every spare nook of 

 ground, for the sake of the wax, which is now becoming such an important 

 article of export from the empire. Japan wax is softer, more brittle and 

 fatty than beeswax, and is easily kneaded. It contains twice as much 

 oxygen, and has a different composition, consisting of palmitic acid united 

 with oxide of glyceryle. 



Vegetable Wax (Rhus vernicifera, D. C). — It is affirmed that the 

 seeds of this plant, which is indigenous to Japan, contain also a tallow-like 

 oil which is employed in the manufacture of candles. Some of the Japan 

 wax met with in commerce may consist either entirely or in part of wax 

 produced by this plant. 



Peetha Wax (Benincasa cerifera). — The fruit of this cucurbitaceous 

 plant secretes upon its surface a waxy substance which resembles the bloom 

 found on plums and cucumbers. In this instance it is produced in suffi- 

 cient quantities to be collected and made into candles. 



Birch Wax (Betula nana). — Dr Royle states that this birch yields a 

 wax very similar to that afforded by the different species of Myrica. 



Getah Lahoe (Ficus cerifera). — This species of fig, which is found in 

 the Island of Sumatra, yields a kind of waxy secretion, which is known 

 there under the above name, and is made into candles. 



Getah Podah. — A kind of green wax from Biliton (a small island in 



