LEEDS CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 2GJ. 
press upon each other, and under this pressure (equally and gradually exerted) they 
take the form of hexagons. Darwin, in his ‘ Origin of Species,’ describes experiments 
which prove the originally cylindrical form of the cells. It almost causes regret to have 
to abandon so long-cherished an idea as that of the exposition of the instinct of the bee, 
as shown by the form of its cells. 
After treating of the chemistry of wax as demonstrated by Brodie, and of the process 
of bleaching, allusion was made to varieties of wax derived from other sources than the 
bee, these being the following:— 
1. Insect Wax of China* —The larva of an insect of the cochineal family is covered by 
a waxy secretion, which is communicated to the trees upon which it lives, from whence 
it is collected. 
It resembles good block white wax, and has very little odour. Its price is about 2s. 8 d. 
per lb. 
2. Japan Wax. f—For some years past occasional importations of a peculiar wax have 
taken place from Japan indirectly, by way of Singapore and China: hence “China wax” 
is a synonym sometimes used. Usually this wax is in circular cakes of 4 to 5 inches 
diameter, having evidently been moulded in a small saucer. They exhibit a white 
efflorescence. Since the opening up of trade with Japan, much larger quantities have 
been imported, and in a different form, viz. as large square blocks packed in chests 
which hold about 130 each. 
This wax is derived from a vegetable source which appears to be the berries of Rhus 
succedanea , a tree known in our greenhouses. Travellers in Japan had long since 
stated that by boiling and expression, such a substance was obtained from these berries. 
It has a shade of yellow, is crumbling, and has a rancid smell and taste. With 
alkalies it is saponified, being an important difference from the behaviour of bees’-wax 
under similar conditions. Its price is at present 10tf. per lb. 
3. Camauba wax is a waxy secretion found on the lower surface of the leaves of 
Ceroxi/lon Camauba and other Palms growing in Brazil. It reminds us more of a resin 
than a wax, being hard, brittle, and buff-coloured. Its melting-point is high, viz. 
192° Fahr. Its price is lOd. per lb. Mr. Proctor has reported it as suitable for fur¬ 
niture polish, either alone or mixed with other wax. 
Myrtle wax and some other similar vegetable products cannot be said to be known 
in commerce, and may be passed over. 
Adulteration. —In an article upon the adulteration of wax w r hich Mr. B. S. Proctor 
recently published (‘ Chemist and Druggist,’ January, 18G3), he commenced by saying, 
“ Wax, both in its bleached and unbleached conditions, is much subject to adulteration ; 
so much so, that the purity of foreign yellow wax is always considered as very doubt¬ 
ful, and the impurity of white cake-wax is generally looked upon as almost certain.” 
We must admit that this sweeping assertion contains too much truth. However, the 
object of the present Paper has been less to give the result of investigations as to 
the purity of particular samples, than to ascertain what methods of examination were 
reliable and convenient. 
Mr. Reynolds acknowledged the valuable aid given by his pupil, Mr. Clayton, to 
whose intelligence and zeal he was indebted for conducting the experiments which had 
been made. To a fellow-member of the Association, Mr. Brown, he was under obliga¬ 
tions for pure wax, melted by himself from Irish comb, and this had been taken as a 
standard. 
The most convenient way of considering the experiments made, is to take each 
method separately, and note its merits and demerits. In each experiment thirty grains 
of wax has usually been employed. 
1. When pure bees’-wax is digested in hot oil of turpentine, it dissolves almost entirely. 
If resin, camauba w r ax, Japan wax, etc., be present, they will also dissolve ; but farinace¬ 
ous or mineral adulterations of any kind would be detected, since these substances would 
be left behind. Of course, merely melting the wax and allowing insoluble matters to 
deposit, will equally detect such sophistications. 
2. The alcohol test for resin. Since only the cerolein of bees’-wax is soluble in alcohol, 
and this does not exceed 5 per cent., we have a ready test for resin. If cold alcohol re- 
*• Pharmaceutical Journal, vol. xii. p. 476. 
f Pharmaceutical Journal, New Series, vol. i. p. 176. 
