The spirit* employed should not be less than 60° overproof. In preparing and using them, they should be kept at a distance from a candle or other flame. Respecting the gums (resins) employed, it may be useful to mention that shell-lac is rendered more soluble by being powdered and exposed for a long time to the air; sandarach gives hardness to varnishes; mastic gives a gloss to solutions of other gums; benzoin still more hut its colour is objectionable; anime readily dissolves, but renders the varnish long in drying; copal and amber

Methylated spirit is now universally employed in making spirit varnishes, being equal to, us well us very much cheaper than, duty-paid spirit are scarcely soluble in spirit, but are rendered partially so by other gums, and also by being previously fused by heat. Shell-lac gives a durable varnish, objectionable only on account of its colour, which may be rendered paler by charcoal. See Lac.

1. White Spirit Varnish. Methylated spirit 2 gallons, gum sandarach 5 lbs. Put them into a tin bottle, cork securely, and agitate frequently, placing the tin occasionally in hot water till the gum is dissolved, then add a quart of pale turpentine varnish.

2. Brown. Methylated spirit 2 gallons, sandarach 3 lbs. shell-lac 2 lbs., pale turpentine varnish a quart. Proceed as the last.

3. Sandarach 2 oz., shell-lac 1/2 oz., methylated spirit 16 fluid oz.

4. White. Gum sandarach 1 1/2 oz., mastic 1/2 oz., elemi 1/4 oz., foreign oil of lavender 1/4 oz., methylated spirit 8 oz.