Isinglass

Isinglass, a substance possessing the same composition as gelatine (q.v.), is obtained from the air bladder of various fishes. It comes into commerce as pipe or purse isinglass, which are merely the dried bladder; fea/'isinglass, the opened bladder; or ribbon isinglass, cut into strips and rolled out. It is obtained chiefly from Russia, Brazil, and the Hudson Bay territory. It is employed for a variety of purposes. Large quantities are used for clarifying beers, light wines, and other liquids. Much of the best varieties is employed for confectionery, while it is also used for the manufacture of court plaster, marine glue, cements, etc. It is frequently adulterated with ordinary gelatine, and the detection of such fraud is only accomplished with difficulty and by careful examination.