Question

What is ‘Lac’? How is it procured? Describe its commercial importance. Name two centres for the purification of lac.

Answer 1

Lac is a gum-like substance which is gathered from the branches of several trees like Banyan, Sisu, Ghont, Pipal, Khair. An insect known by the name of ‘Laccifer-lacca’ breeds on the branches of these trees and it ejects a secretion from its mouth. This secretion when it dries, sticks to the branches and is collected by the forest-dwellers. It is then purified and turned into ‘shellac’ or ‘seed-lac’, which is the raw material for plastics, insulators, felt-hats, sealing wax, paints and varnishes. Kolkata and Mirzapur are two big centres for its purification. Lac brings in . lot of foreign exchange.