94 Indian Forest Records. [Vol. iVIII 
mixed with other materials and heated before use. White shellac is 
obtained by bleaching. 
Twenty years ago, the principal uses of shellac were for varnishes 
and polishes, gums and cements ; for sealing-wax and lithographic 
inks ; and last, but not least, as stiffening material in the manufacture 
of hats. It has also been applied as an insulating substance in the 
manufacture of electrical machinery and as a binding material in the 
manufacture of gramophone records. These two last mentioned uses 
have since considerably expanded; and, in addition, a host of other 
uses have developed. A London expert has described the principal 
modern uses of the different varieties of lac in that market as follows :— 
“ High grade lacs are used for fine varnishes, for aeroplanes, pianos, 
furniture, shells (ammunition), sealing-wax, hats (silk, felt and straw), 
boot finish manufactures, gramophone records, and emery wheels. 
“ Low grade lacs for cheaper varnishes, for furniture, hats, sealing- 
wax, and for making bleached lac, for munitions (cartridges and shells) 
and for insulating purposes. 
“ Button lac is used for sealing-wax, hats, brushes, polishes, etc. 
“ Garnet is used for polishes, stains, hats (felt), sealing-wax, and 
emery wheels. 
“ Grain-lac is used for lacquering metals and cables.” 
In America shellac is required for even wider purposes of which 
the following may be given as typical:— 
“ Abrasives and emery wheels, varnishes and polishes of all 
descriptions, billiard balls, moulding and picture frames, saws, glazed 
paper, photographic supplies, musical and optical instruments, watches, 
leather, oil-less bees-wax, guns, oil-cloth, paper board, lead pencils, 
paint and glass, tiles, automobiles, sealing-wax, hats, rubber tires* 
chemicals and drugs, phonograph records, pianola rolls, composition 
materials, electrical apparatus of all sorts, brushes and brooms, horse 
shoes, buttons, lacquer, foundry supplies, bottle tops, fly papers, 
hardware, toys, sports goods, typewriters, cements and glues, cutlery, 
mirrors, jewellery, confectionery, engravers’ supplies, mint supplies 
and fireworks.” 
An expert has estimated that 40 to 50 per cent, of the entire 
demand is on account of gramophone records and that no other single 
industry can account for more than 5 to 8 per cent, of the consump¬ 
tion. 
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