XV, 4 
Oshima: Formosan Termites 
375 
THE RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF PREVENTIVES 
In order to prevent the damage caused by termites, a con- 
siderable number of wood preservatives has been invented and 
some of them are largely used in the Tropics. Although it 
has been proved that camphor green oil is entirely satisfactory 
in preventing attack by Formosan termites, it has been thought 
desirable to determine the effectiveness of other chemicals. For 
this purpose the following ten preservatives, which are among 
the commonest in the market, were selected for experiments 
that were carried on at Tainan, Formosa. 
Atlas Preservative A . — This is a mixture of arsenic and so- 
dium hydroxide. Various chemicals containing arsenic are 
largely used in the Tropics for exterminating termites. 
Table XXXIV. — Chemical composition of Atlas Preservative A. 
Per cent. 
Sodium hydroxide 42.20 
Arsenic 2.39 
Water 55.41 
Woocl-preservative A . — Manufactured by Nippon Paint and 
Asphalt Co. Ltd. The principal ingredient of this chemical is 
tobacco extract. It is made in the following way: Tobacco 
leaves are boiled in a dilute aqueous solution of hydrochloric 
acid; the solution is filtrated, and a proper amount of sodium 
salicylide and a solution of resin soap are added to the filtrate. 
Woodilin. — Imported from the United States. This is a mix- 
ture of petroleum heavy oil and wood tar. 
Table XXXV. — Characteristics of woodilin. 
Color Dark brown, with fluorescence. 
Specific gravity (at 28 °C.) 0.920 
Flashing point (°C.) 51 
Fractional distillation : 
Per cent. 
110 to 150 
0.50 
150 to 210 
1.50 
210 to 240 
7.50 
240 to 270 
10.25 
270 to 300 
12.75 
Above 300 
64.00 
Residue (weight) 
4.88 
Woodol . — Manufactured by Ochiai & Co., in Tokyo. The 
principal ingredient of this preservative is wood tar. 
