MUCILAGE

an adhesive substance prepared from the exudations of various trees and plants (see GUM), from linseed, marshmallow roots, onions, etc., by the addition generally of an alkali solution. The same result can be obtained by long boiling in water.

A very serviceable mucilage can easily be made from onion juice--after a short boiling, a good-sized Spanish onion will readily yield on pressure a large quantity of very adhesive fluid. This product is used extensively in various trades for pasting paper on tin or zinc or even glass, its tenacity being surprisingly great and equalling the result of many of the more costly patent cements. Some of the cements sold by street fakirs at ten cents a bottle consist of nothing but onion juice and water--the bottle and cork cost a great deal more than the contents!