870 
WAX 
Beeswax, the most valuable, lias a specific 
gravity of between .960 and .972, and 
melting-point of between 143 and 145 
degrees F. The mineral waxes vary so 
much in hardness, melting-point, and spe¬ 
cific gravity, that it would be useless to 
name exact figures. As a rule, however, 
the fusing-point of paraffin is much below 
that of beeswax, while that of ceresin may 
be either above or below, or practically the 
same. In general the specific gravity of 
both commercial paraffin and ’eresin is be¬ 
low that of beeswax; which fact renders 
it an easy matter to detect adulteration of 
beeswax with either paraffin or ceresin, by 
a method that will be explained further on, 
under the subhead, “How to Detect Adul¬ 
terated Wax.” 
There are also known to commerce Jap¬ 
anese wax and China wax, both of which 
may or may not be the product of insects 
or plants. 
COMB FOUNDATION. 
Combs made from foundation contain¬ 
ing 25 to 50 per cent of adulteration 
of paraffin or ceresin are very liable to 
melt down in the hive in hot weather. 
Paraffin is ductile enough to make beauti¬ 
ful foundation, but does not stand the heat 
of the hive. Ceresin, on the other hand, 
while more closely resembling genuine 
beeswax in point of specific gravity and 
fusibility, is too tough and brittle, under 
some conditions, for bees to work. Work 
it? Yes, they will, and construct combs; 
and in Germany considerable ceresin 
foundation has been and perhaps is being 
sold; but experience shows that it is poor 
economy, and that it will lead the bee¬ 
keeper or the poor bees to grief sooner or 
later. 
Some recent work seems to show that 
there are certain wax compounds, that can 
be used to strengthen ordinary beeswax 
from the hive. • In 1922 there was intro¬ 
duced a three-ply comb foundation, the 
center ply of which is of a much harder 
wax. The tests of this foundation at this 
writing seem to show that it is much 
stronger and better than ordinary founda¬ 
tion for the brood-nest. 
BEESWAX IN THE ARTS. 
Since the United States pure-food law 
went in effect June 30, 1906, beeswax has 
had a much larger use. The law will have 
no effect one way or the other on the use 
of paraffin, ceresin, and the like in any 
compound or mixture that does not belong 
either to the food or drug classes. Electro¬ 
typers can use a substitute for taking im¬ 
pressions, altho the great majority prefer 
pure beeswax, even at a higher price. Nat¬ 
ural-wood finishers can still use paraffin 
and ceresin; but most of them assert that 
there is nothing to compare for that pur¬ 
pose with pure beeswax. The first men¬ 
tioned gives a greasy, smeary finish, while 
the product from the hive yields a mghly 
polished surface—one that stands wear as 
nothing else will; a finish cheaper than hard 
oil—not in the price by the gallon, but 
cheaper per square foot of surface covered. 
A very satisfactory floor finish can be 
made by melting a pound of beeswax, and 
while it is cooling, stirring into it some 
turpentine. An exact proportion of the 
two ingredients is not necessary—in fact 
some workmen prefer the paste thick, oth¬ 
ers want it thin. When cool, if the mix¬ 
ture is too thick it is a simple matter to 
thin it by working in more turpentine. 
The Roman Catholic Church uses large 
quantities of beeswax in the form of can¬ 
dles. The Church does not tolerate par¬ 
affin, ceresin, nor any of the mineral waxes, 
all of which give off an offensive greasy 
odor while burning, whereas candles made 
of beeswax leave a delightful perfume. 
Moreover, the burning of mineral wax 
causes a deposit that injures pictures, while 
beeswax mellows and preserves them. 
Certain grades of blacking, harness oils, 
and lubricants require pure beeswax in 
their manufacture. A blacking containing 
beeswax will withstand more dampness 
than that made of any other substance. 
The electrical-supply business is a con¬ 
sumer of beeswax. The windings of the 
wire are soaked in paraffin or beeswax— 
preferably the latter, because it seems less 
affected by extremes of heat and by mois¬ 
ture. Pattern-makers also use beeswax. 
The profession of dentistry consumes large 
quantities of pure wax every year to take 
impressions in the mouth. Last, but not 
least, the beekeeper is a large consumer as 
well as a producer of wax. 
In all the arts, paraffin, ceresin, and cer¬ 
tain other mineral waxes can be used; 
