THE CHEMISTRY OF THE HIVE. 
595 
in China from the insect Coccus sinensis^ and such 
substances as stearin.” The most serious disadvan- 
tage of these adulterants is that the doctored wax, 
although its actual melting-point may be preserved, 
loses tenacity when a high temperature is reached, 
and so combs built out from foundation made of 
it are liable, in summer weather, to drop from their 
attachments, and convert the previous beautiful order 
into chaos. Only last summer I saw most painful 
loss and annoyance caused in this way. 
To judge of the purity of wax by ready methods 
requires much experience, but the following hints 
may be of service : Pure beeswax, unbleached, is 
of yellow colour, has an agreeable, somewhat aromatic 
odour, and a slight, but characteristic, taste. In the 
warm hand it becomes plastic, and, without either 
oiling or heavily coating the skin, is, under pressure, 
decidedly adhesive, while separated parts weld together 
very perfectly. Broken, at ordinary temperatures, it 
has a granular fracture, with a dry-looking, unpolished 
face ; but when cut shows a glossy, waxy lustre, and 
when chewed does not stick to the teeth, but crumbles 
and breaks to pieces in the mouth, while a small per- 
centage of adulteration will cause it to clog. Experts 
depend much on this last indication. Rosin is some- 
times used as an adulterant^ with the effect of making 
the fracture smooth and shining. The rosin can be 
slowly dissolved out in cold alcohol, while the wax 
remains untouched. By evaporating the alcohol, the 
rosin is obtained in a separated condition, and its 
amount may be estimated. Benzine, unlike alcohol, 
dissolves wax most readily, and so reveals at once 
2 Q 2 
