lac (1)

[Pers. laka; Hind. lakh; Sansc. lak châ, rakscha, from rang =to dye.] 1. Botany , .: (1) A resinous incrustation caused by the parasitic insect Coccus lacca. The incrusted sticks are called Stick-lac. If broken off from the twigs, and washed in water, the resin breaks into small particles called Seed-lac; and, if this be melted over a fire, and squeezed through a long sac into troughs, it spreads out into thin flakes, Shell-lac; if dropped into trounded ma es, it is Button-lac; if into larger pieces, it is Sheet-lac or Piece-lac. ( Prof. Watt .) Lac is called also East Indian Kino. (2) A white, orange, or other-colored fluid occur ring in many plants. ( Treas . of Bot .) 2. Pharm .: A decoction of Shell-lac is much used in India in the preparation of several medicinal oils. The Tamul doctors prescribe Lac in old and obstinate bowel complaints. lac-dye, s. A dye obtained from the water used in washing stick-lac. (LAC.]