North Runcton
Chinese wax is a white to yellowish-white, gelatinous,
crystalline water-insoluble substance obtained from the
wax secreted by certain insects.
It resembles
spermaceti but is harder, more friable, and with a higher melting point. It is deposited on the branches of certain trees by the scale insect
Ceroplastes ceriferus, common in
China and
India, or a related
scale insect,
Ericerus pela, of China and
Japan. The insects and their secretions are harvested and boiled with water to obtain the wax.
Chinese wax is used chiefly in the manufacture of polishes, sizes, and
candles.
Chinese tree wax, insect wax, Chinese insect wax
