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THE JOURNAL 



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THE LINNEAN SOCIETY. 



On the Copal of Zanzibar. Extract from a letter from JoiiK 

 Ki^, M.D., F.L.S., dated Zanzibar, Marcli 20th, 1868. 



[E^ad June 18, 18G8.] 



TnE vegetation along tlie creek of Dan Salam* consists of 

 many curious and, to me, unknown bushes, with heavy timber 

 scattered here and there; among them was the Tracltylobium 

 Mossambicense, KL, distinguished by its rounded head of glossy 

 leaves, with white groups of flowers projecting from the points 

 of the branches. This is the "M'ti Sandarusi'* (Tree of Co- 

 pal) of the natives ; and from it one variety of Copal is obtained. 

 On examining the tree more closely, the trunk and main limbs 

 were seen to be covered with the clear resinous exudation, now 

 brittle and hard; from the upper branches it dropped down 

 on the ground below, but not in a fluid state. To judge by the 

 appearance it presented, I should say that the resin soon dries 

 and hardens after being exuded, but must be easily broken off by 

 violence ; pieces of various tint and form were collected, some with 

 insects imbedded ; but all presented a smooth polished exterior, 

 quite free from any pitting or " gooseskin '* found on all kinds dug 

 up from the ground. This sort is known in trade as " Sandarusi ya 

 m'ti," or Copal from the tree; it is exported in considerable quantity 

 to India, but not to Europe. Having thus established the source 

 of one sort of Copal to be the Trachi/lobium^ and transmitted the 

 resin with full herbarium specimens of flower and fruit (which, if 



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* [Dan Salam is stated in the letter to be a spacious creel opposite the 



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southern end of Zanzibar Island. — Ed.} 



LINK. PEOC. — BOTANY, VOL. XX. t B 



