GOttata.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



391 



in the cake*, and the incrustation of white mould ; when broken, it should 

 be of a bright purple cast, of a close and compact texture, free from white 

 specks or sand, and when rubbed with the nail, should have a beautiful 

 shining copper-like appearance ; it should swim in water, and when burnt 

 by the candle, it should fly like dust. That which is heavy, dull coloured, 

 and porous, should be rejected ; likewise the small and broken pieces, which, 

 though equally good in quality with regular formed cakes, do not obtain an 

 equal price. 



This article has attracted much attention, and speculation has urged its 

 production very far. The average crop of nine years, ending 1821-22, was 

 89,300 maunds; the following year it was 108,901 maunds, whilst that of 

 1823-21, is said to be but 75,600 maunds. A large supply, it is stated, might 

 be obtained in Bengal ; perhaps as much as 150 or 200,000 maunds, little 

 short of 15 millions of pounds. In the last edition of this Work it was 

 observed, that " the demand of all Europe was estimated at 3 millions of 

 pounds per annum ; (the demand in peace is estimated at 21,000 chests of 

 1 factory maunds each, about 3,500,000 lbs.) ; but supposing it to extend to 

 4 millions, Bengal could supply the whole P The quantity of indigo 

 exported from Calcutta in 1821, was 32,887 factory maunds; and the 

 average annual export in 7 years, 63,139 factory maunds. The home 

 (Bengal) consumption is estimated at 1 per cent, of the produce. 



Lac (LaSh and Loft, Hind. Lacehu^ San.) is an article of considerable 

 importance in many arts ; it is principally produced hi Bengal, and Is a kind 

 of wax, of which a species of insect, the Coccus Lacca, forms cells upon 

 trees, like honey-combs. The trees are chiefly two species of Ficw> 9 the F. 

 ijidica, and F. reVighafi. It is principally found upon the uncultivated 

 mountains on both sides the Ganges, where it is produced in such abundance, 

 that, were the consumption ten times greater than it is, the markets might 

 readily be supplied ; the only trouble in procuring it, is to break down the 

 branches, and cany them to market. It is likewise produced in Pegu, and 

 some other places to the eastward. It is distinguished in commerce into 

 four kinds, viz. stick-lac, seed-lac, shell-lac, and lump-lac. 



I. Stick-Lac is the substance, or comb, in its natural state, inerusling 

 small branches or twigs. The best lac is of a reddish purple colour ; for if 

 it be pale, and pierced at the top, the value is dim inis lied, because the insects 

 have left their cells, and consequently these can be of no use as a dye, but 

 probably may be better for varnish. Chuse the dark red kind, which, on 

 chewing a small piece, will turn the spittle of a purple colour; when held 

 up against the light, it should look bright and lively, and when broken, 



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