on a Wax-like Substance from Madras. 393 
v. Experiments upon the Liquid contained in white Lac. 
( а ) On pressing, between the fingers, the pieces of white 
lac, in the state in which they are taken from the tree or 
shrub (although they are apparently quite dry and brittle, 
and have been kept several years), a watery liquid oozes out ; 
by which paper stained with turnsole is instantly turned to a 
red colour. 
(б) The 550 grains of reddish watery liquid above men- 
tioned to have been separated from 2000 grains of white laG 
were filtrated through paper in order to separate mucilage. 
( aa ) This filtrated liquid has a slightly saltish taste, with 
bitterness, but is not at all sour. 
( hh ) When made hot, it smells precisely like newly baked 
hot bread. 
(cc) On standing it grows somewhat turbid, and deposits 
a small quantity of sediment. 
(< dd ) Its specific gravity in the temperature of 60 9 was to 
distilled water as 1025 to 1000. 
(ee) A little of this liquid having been evaporated till it 
grew very turbid, on standing afforded small needle-like crys- 
tals in mucilaginous matter. 
( c ) About 250 grains of the liquid (6) were poured into a 
retort which held one ounce measure, to which was joined a 
receiver containing two shreds of paper, one stained with turn- 
sole, and the other had been dipped in solution of sulphate of 
iron. As the liquor grew warm, mucilage-like clouds appeared, 
but when it grew hot they disappeared ; and about the tem- 
perature of 200° it distilled over very fast. On distillation to 
nearly dryness, a small quantity of extractive matter remained, 
MDCCXCIVi 3E 
