Lead thrower,
Most Borax compounds are an-hydrous, that means they will suck up a water molicule or disolve easily. that is one of the reasons that borax is a good basic cure. When you suck the water out of the membrains, you toughen it up. As an FYI, Boron is also the main element necessary for filbert meat production, that is why nut growers spray sol-u-bor on their trees. Also the cheapest source of borax, busted bags at the farm supply house, but you didn't get that information from me.
_________________________
You can always tell a fisherman, you just can't tell him much.