300 
Indian Forest Records. 
[VoL. 1 
Qvontitative Analysis of Thifsi. 
The quantitative composition of 2 specimens of tliitsi was deter- 
mined according to the method ot separating the constituents, which 
has been previously described. The moisture was calculated by 
difference, as its determination could not be made by the usual 
method of drying the siibstance at 100°C. in an air bath, owing to 
the above-mentioned action by which the ’Frushic acid takes up 
oxygen in the presence of moist air, the temperature of which is 
below the coagulation point of diastatic matter. The results of the 
analyses are as follows : — 
Sample No. 1 
Sample No. 2. 
Alcoholic extract (Urushic acid) 
86-24 
83 24 
Gummy matter .... 
3 08 
3-;52 
Oily matter ..... 
Nil 
0-.53 
Residue or diastatic matter 
1 71 
214 
Moisture and other volatile matter 
8 07 
10-57 
(by difference). 
100 00 
100-00 
Sample No. 1 was fresh pure juice extracted 
Mawhan Forest under the supervision of the 
from the trees of 
Forest Banger of 
Kadu (Fpper Burma). 
Sample No. 2 was a good specimen of thitsi bought from the 
Mawhan bazar. 
Analyses of two purified samples 
of the Japanese lacquer may 
he given here for convenience of comparison : — 
Yoshino Urushi. Hnchioji Urushi. 
Urushic acid . ... . 
8.5 1.5 
80-00 
Gum ..... 
31.5 
4-60 
Oil 
? 
9 
Residue (diastatic matter) 
2-28 
3 31 
Water and volatile matter . 
9-42 
12-00 
1 nO'OO 
100 00 
(Korschelt and Yoshida.) 
It will be evident from these analyses that the composition of 
the Burmese varnish does not vary to any great extent from that of 
the pure Japanese lacquer, and should consequently possess about 
equal drying power with the latter. The slow drying power of the 
commercial Burmese varnish, as compared with the Japanese 
article, must, therefore, be attributed to the presence of extraneous 
