38 
LAC. 
The outturn of local lac work is completely absorbed in the Island. 
It is very small, and the artificers do not seem at all enterprising or 
anxious to extend their operations or to find new markets. 
There seems no reason why the Indian lac insect, which secretes the 
resinous matter in much greater abundance, should not be established 
in Ceyion. Its plentiful occurrence here might give a healthy impulse 
to the local trade in lacwork. I have made several attempts to 
introduce the Indian insect ; but owing to delay in postage and 
unsuitable packing, the insects have invariably died during transit. 
Chemical Analysis of Ceylon Lacs. 
The following analyses have been prepared by Mr. M. Kelway 
Barnber, Analytical Chemist to the Ceylon Government. 
For convenience of comparison, the analysis has been conducted by 
the method employed by Mr. Hooper in his analyses of the Indian 
lacs. (See “The Agricultural Ledger,’ 7 1901, No. 9, “Lac and the 
Lac Industries,” by George Watt.) 
Composition of “Keppitiya laccada” ( T . albizzice, Green). 
Per cent. 
Moisture ... 
... 3*50 
Colouring matter 
... 8-50 
Resin 
... 74*72 
Bark, fragments, &c. 
... 7-25 
Ash 
... 6-03 
100-00 
Composition of “ Tela-kiriya laccada” ( T . eonchiferata , Green). 
Per cent. 
Moisture ... 
... 2-45 
Colouring matter 
... 7*00 
Resin 
... 85*81 
Insoluble ... 
... 4*40 
Ash 
*34 
100*00 
Sub-section 3, Oaoutchoucs or Bnciiarubbers, 
Outtapercbas? &c. 
These substances are contained in the milky juice or latex 
of a large number of plants, more especially of those 
belonging to the families Euphorbiaceæ, Moraceæ (included 
in Urticaceæ by English authors), Apocynaceæ, Asclepiada- 
ceæ, and Sapotaceæ. The rubber-yielding plants are almost 
