, 202 Mr. Hatchett’s analytical Experiments 
varieties of lac, and forms saponaceous solutions, similar to that 
in which borax was employed, exclusive of the colour, which 
is deeper, and more approaching to purple. 
Lixivium of carbonate of potash extracts a great part of the 
colouring matter, but does not form so complete a solution of 
the entire substance of lac, as when pure potash is employed. 
The above alkaline solutions, by repose, afford the waxen soap 
which has been mentioned ; and acids, being added to these so- 
lutions, and to that formed by borax, precipitate the lac in a 
flocculent state, and of a yellow or buff* colour, which preci- 
pitate, when melted, becomes similar to the lac originally em- 
ployed. If however an alkaline solution of shell lac (prepared, for 
instance, with soda) be gradually dropped into a sufficient quan- 
tity of muriatic acid diluted with an equal portion of water, and 
nearly heated to- the boiling point, and if after boiling the whole 
for about one hour the coagulum be separated, and the clear 
liquor be carefully saturated with soda, and again made to boil, 
a small quantity of a flocculent precipitate is obtained, which 
was found to be analogous to precipitated vegetable gluten, 
combined with some of the colouring extract. 
13. Pure ammonia, and carbonate of ammonia, readily act 
upon the colouring matter of lac, but do not completely dissolve 
the entire substance. 
