on a Wax-like Substance from Madras. 401 
whole of the carbon and other components of a given part of 
white lac, wherefore a portion of carbon remains uncombined, 
in the form of soot, or a sublimate ; but when oxygen gaz is 
applied, the whole of the carbon is combined with it, and of 
course no smoke appears. 
The smaller proportion of carbon in bees wax than white 
lac, affords a probable reason why there is less smoke during 
the combustion of bees wax than white lac. 
It appears reasonable to conclude, that white lac might be 
made to serve for illumination and combustion as well as bees 
wax, either by diminishing the proportion of carbon, or by 
increasing the proportion of the other components ; but my 
knowledge of chemistry does not enable me to effect either of 
these changes. 
3 F 
MDCCXCIV» 
