Fairly hard, yellowish-white wax composed primarily of ceryl cerotate and other esters, excreted by the louse-like scale insects of the genus Ceroplastes found in China, Japan, and India. The insects deposit their wax onto the leaves and twigs of Chinese ash trees; it is scraped off, cleaned with hot water, and cast into molds. It is similar to spermaceti and has been used as a substitute for beeswax, for candles, wax paint, polishing leather, and sizing paper.
