This section is from the book "The Home Cyclopedia Of General Information", by Charles Morris. Also available from Amazon: Home Cyclopedia of Necessary Knowledge.
[Fr., from L. vitrum, glass.] A liquid laid on a surface to make it glossy. According to the solvents used, varnishes are divided into spirit, turpentine, and oil varnishes. The chief resins used in varnishes are copal, mastic, lac, benzoin, amber; and these are mixed in alcohol, turpentine, ether, linseed and olive oils.
 
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