WAX INSECT, Coccus sinensis; see Coccus, a very small white insect,. a native of China, of the same genus with the cochineal and kermes insects, and with the scale in sects, which arc the pest of our greenhouses, valuable on account of the wax which it produces. It is found about the beginning of June on the branches of certain trees on the juices of which it feeds, particularly on those of a kind of sumach (Thus succeda neun2). The wax is deposited on the branches as a coating which resembles hoar-frost. This is scraped off toward the end of August, melted in boiling-water and strained through a cloth. See WAX. The Chinese wax insect has been introduced by the French into Algeria.—Another wax insect is found in South America, but is not yet well known, nor has its wax become an article of commerce.
See CANDLERERRY.
is an art of great importance, better known, however, under the name of encaustic painting (q.v.).
Iriartea--andicola, a lofty palm, found in the Andes. oa the eastern borders of Peru, at an elevation of 3,000 ft. and upward above the level of the sea. It grows to the height of 100 ft., and on the cicatrices of the fallen leaves, a
resinous secretion is produced in great abundance, composed of about two parts of yel. low resin, and one of a kind of wax, more brittle than bees' wax. This wax exudes also from the leaves, and is whitish, almost inodorous, except when heated, when it gives out a resinous odor. It is used by the inhabitants of the country in which it is produced for making candles, but is usually mixed with wax or tallow. It is probable that the wax palm would succeed well in the south of Europe, as its native climate is not dissimilar. The usual method of obtaining the wax is by felling the tree. Each tree yields about 25 lbs. The wax is scraped off, melted, and run into calabashes. net timber of this palm is very hard and durable; the leaves are used for thatching, and the fibers for cordage, The tree is a beautiful one, with a stately stem, and a head of large pinnate leaves.—In some of the northern provinces of Brazil, wax is obtained from the carnahuba palm (q.v.).