594 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
is of little service for old combs, and, in our uncertain 
climate, it might be quite unavailable when most 
required. 
Perfectly clean wax having been obtained, repeating 
the process of melting over water, if necessary, it 
may be cast in moulds, which should be very sparingly 
oiled, or receive a trace of glycerine, to prevent 
adhesion. The cooling should be slow, or the mass 
will crack in shrinking, because the outside sets hard 
while the inner part is still hot. By slow cooling, the 
temperature throughout is nearly uniform, and the 
outside and inside contract toofether. 
Many substances of animal and vegetable origin 
possess some of the qualities of, and bear some 
resemblance to, beeswax, and these, unfortunately, too 
often and too successfully, are used as adulterants. 
Mr. Raitt, as a practical judge, probably stands 
second to none, and on this matter he thus speaks :* 
“We have before us samples of ‘beeswax’ (?) of every 
shade of colour to be desired, of every degree of 
hardness, and tempered to any ordinary melting- 
point, but that never had any connection whatever 
with bees. Their basis is ceresin ; they are softened 
by paraffin and stearin, hardened by Japan wax or 
Carnauba, their melting point raised or lowered 
accordingly, and tinted to perfection. They are 
then everywhere sold as ‘pure beeswax’!!” “The 
various adulterants used, according to that which is 
wanted, are the mineral waxes, ceresin and paraffin, 
the vegetable Japan wax, myrtle wax of the States, 
and Carnauba wax of Brazil, the wax obtained largely 
* Bee-keeper s Record, November, 1885. 
