ADULTERATION OF WAX. 323 



A close attention to the physical properties of the sample probably 

 affords the only means of determining its quality, which is suitable as a 

 guide to the tradesman in making his purchases from the wholesale 

 dealer. The following results will be found useful as a guide to the 

 presence and probable quantity of the above adulterants. Good samples 

 of yellow wax and genuine white block wax were melted in a water- 

 bath, with spermaceti, pale amber resin, and lard, in various proportions, 

 as below : — 



No. 



1. 



Yell 



ow wax 



8 



Spermaceti 



1 



■>■> 



2. 





ii 



8 



ii 



2 



it 



3. 





a 



8 



Lard 



2 



n 



4. 





a 



8 



Resin 



2 



ii 



5. 





n 



8 



a 



1 



ii 



6. 



Bloc! 



: white wax 



■8; 



Spermaceti 



2 



ii 



7. 





ii 



8 : 



i 



I Resin 



1 

 1 





8. 





ii 



8 



Lard 



1 



11 



9. 

 10. 







8 

 8 



Spermaceti 

 ii 



8 

 24 



1L " } Lard 



All these additions detracted from the hardness and toughness of the 

 wax. The yellow wax was " improved in appearance " by all the addi- 

 tions ; its odour was not perceptibly affected by the spermaceti ; the 

 lard gave it a slightly greasy smell ; the resin was distinctly perceptible 

 in the larger proportion, barely so in the smaller. The white wax was 

 improved in appearance by the spermaceti and lard, but injured by the 

 resin. The odours of the lard and resin were more readily detected 

 in the white than in the yellow wax. In both cases the odour of the 

 lard was more readily detected by rubbing the sample upon a plaster 

 spatula heated a little above 212°, but not so hot as to make vapours 

 rise from the wax, the odour of the resin was very distinct when 

 sought in this way, and not less so when the heat was raised to the 

 smoking point. 



The rough mealy fracture of pure wax is rendered finer-grained, 

 smoother, and duller, by the addition of lard or spermaceti, and becomes 

 sparkling and more granular by the addition of resin. 



Pure wax becomes kneadable at about 85°, and its behaviour, while 

 worked between the finger and thumb, is characteristic. A piece the size of 

 a pea being worked in the hand till tough with the warmth, then placed 

 upon the thumb, and forcibly stroked down with the forefinger, curls 

 up, following the finger, and is marked by it with longitudinal streaks 

 The samples Nos. 1 and 2, when worked in the same manner, are softer, 

 curl less by the stroke of the finger, and instead of longitudinal streaks 



F f 2 



